Gc \ M. U.
929.2
L515in <
1214151
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00859 1189
THE LEE FAMILY.
I^it^^fogtmf ^t$i0t^
LEE FAMILY
VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND
FROM A.D. 1300 TO A.D. 1 866
WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
EDITED BY EDWARD C. MEAD
|w
NEW YORK
RICHARDSON AND COI\rPANY
I 868
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year iS68, by
RICHARDSON AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United Stcites for the Southern District of New York.
Geo C. R.\nd & Avery, 3 Cornhill, Boston.
1214151
RESPECTFULL V DEDTCA TED
Surviving Members of the Lee Family,
BY THE EDITOR.
IPrifiW^.
^jyHIS ancient genealogy, accompanied by an original coat-
^^ of-arms, has long slumbered among the old family papers
of the compiler of this work. Its authenticity is undoubted.
The sad war that for four years darkened our land developed in
the North and South instances of personal heroism that make
a part of the moral history of the world.
Although the cause of which he was the military leader was
a failure, the name of Gen. Robert E. Lee is universally respected
at the North and in Europe ; while at the South it is almost rev-
erenced, especially by the soldiers he commanded and the officers
who served under him. That he has proved himself a soldier,
" without fear, and without reproach," is universally conceded ;
that he is a Christian gentleman and patriot, all who know him
will bear willing testimony. To such a man, the "pomp of
heraldry " has but few attractions ; but his name, whether linked
with success or misfortune, is an unblemished one, and already
belongs to history. This record of genealogical notes and inci-
dents, therefore, is offered to the public as material for the
historian, and as a tribute of respect to an old and honored revo-
lutionary name.
EDWARD C. MEAD.
" Broad Oak," near Keswick,
Albemarle County, Va., May 31, 1866.
Chi
^^^HE family of Lee is one of the most ancient in a. d. 1066
J^ the records of the EngHsh Peerage ; and its gen- ^° ^302.
ealogy can be traced back to the earUest history of our own and
our mother country.
In the eleventh century, we find the name of Launcelot Lee,
Loudon, France, as an honored associate of William the Con-
queror, going over to England with that chieftain, and distinguish-
ing himself at the battle of Hastings.
We thus learn that the family was of Norman origin, which
is confirmed by the Christian names of many of its branches.
The following brief notice of Launcelot Lee is extracted from
an old manuscript once in the possession of the Rev. William
F. Lee of Virginia: —
" The Lee Family of Virginia is the youngest branch of one
of the oldest families of England. Launcelot Lee, the founder,
came originally from Loudon, France. He went over to England
with William the Conqueror. After the battle of Hastings, when
the estates of the native English nobility were divided among the
followers of William, a fine estate in Essex was bestowed upon
him.
9
lO INTRODUCTION.
" Lionel Lee, first Earl of Litchfield, raised a com-
pany of ' gentlemen cavaliers,' at the head of which he
accompanied Richard Coeur de Lion in the third Crusade,
A.D. 1 192. For gallant conduct at the siege of Acre, he was
made Earl of Litchfield, and another estate was given to the
family, which was afterwards called ' Ditchly.' The armor worn
by Lionel Lee may be seen in the Horse Armory of the Tower
of London.
" Richard Lee accompanied the unfortunate Earl of Surrey in
his expedition against the Scotch borders, in 1542. Two of the
Lee Family have been Knights of the Garter; and their banners,
surmounted by the Lee arms, may be seen in St. George's
Chapel, Windsor Castle. The Lee arms consist of a shield,
bend sinister, battled and embattled; crest — a closed visor, sur-
mounted by a squirrel holding a nut, with the motto, ' Non
incautus fiituru "
In comparing the above extract with the old genealogy in
our hands, and with other English records, we find some slight
discrepancies : they are unimportant, but will be hereafter noted.
The manuscript evidently refers to another branch of the Lee
Family, distinct from the one we are attempting to trace, since
we nowhere find in the latter the name of Lionel Lee, nor any
reference to the family seat of Ditchly. It will be
A.D. 1200. r T^- 1 1 •
recollected that this family estate of Uitchly is men-
tioned in Sir Walter Scott's novel of " Woodstock " as the
home of Sir Henry Lee; still, as the coat-of-arms which we
present closely resembles that described in the above manu-
script, it shows that the Lees of Langly and Cotton, in Shrop-
shire, descended from the same ancestry, though diverging in
different lateral branches.
INTRODUCTION. 1 1
The present old srenealogry commences about the
^ ... A.D. 1090.
close of the eleventh century, and continues, in a direct
line, to the year 1663, from which date we have endeavored to
trace it to the present time. We have tried to do this with
perfect accuracy ; but, should any link be found rusted or
broken, it must be attributed to the wear and tear of time, and
not to any want of care on our part.
It is observed that the name first appears in the genealogical
table as Lega, or De Le, but gradually assumes the present form
of Lee. This change is much less than is usually found in
the descent and transmission of Norman names, the originals
of which are often nearly lost in the successive transformations.
At the time of the Conquest, family names were rarely used.
The " Red," " Beau-Clerc," " Coeur de Lion," or some character-
istic trait or feature, was adopted by distinguished leaders and
their families, until the heraldic crest or shield (on which they
were borne) became overloaded by these family escutcheons :
titles then were instituted, suggested either by the birth-place of
the chief, or by some office held at court.
The nearest approach to a family name was the assumption
of the father's Christian name in addition to his own, by which
a man who had no other designation announced his Norman
descent. The only description of surnames known among the
English at this time seems to have been some epithet descrip^
tive of personal character, though the people ordinarily had but
one name. When the Normans began to take second names,
which usually had the prefix De, Le, or Fitz {fils, son), it was
esteemed a mark of plebeian extraction to have but one name.
The word " Lee " is from Leaz, plain or untilled land, probably
12 INTRODUCTION.
descriptive of the aspect of the country in which the
A.D. 1200. .
family lived : Lcga, which seems here to be the origi-
nal, is doubtless from Legra, a small ancient village in Shrop-
shire.
The family was doubtless extensive, even at this early period
of history ; for we find the names, Lega, De Le, and even Lee,
frequently occurring in " The Doomsday Book," which was
compiled soon after the Conquest. We also find frequent refer-
ence to the Lees in "The Rotuli Curiae Regis," or Rolls of the
Court of Pleas, as given during the reigns of Richard I. and
King John.
We give interesting extracts from some of these suits, which
are found in " The Rotuli Curias : " —
" Ephraim Dulms, against Gilbertits de la Lega, for a plea of
land, was respited until the 15th, or St. John's Day, because the
said Gilbertus was in the king's service : by order of the king,
beyond the sea (France). This suit is again respited, sine die,
while the said Gilbertus remains in the king's service." *
In another suit, the wife of Gilbertus is mentioned, whose
name was Matilda. We also meet with the names of Germinus
de Lega, ReginaldiLs de Lega, Robert de la Leg, or Lega, Adam
de Lega, and William de Lega. Of the last (William), it is re-
corded, "Contributed a half-mark f for the benefit of the Church."
We often find the single name of Lee and Lega used as denoting
the same family.
In the Lincolnshire term, Robert de Takhurst (beyond the
sea), in the king's service, sustains a suit against Rodolphus
de Bradclee, for Gilbertus de Lee, for a plea of land. Also
* See Rotuli Curiae, vol. i. p. iSo-387.
t The mark was a silver coin of 13s. 4d. sterling.
INTRODUCTION. 1 3
" Henrici de Lee appears on the fourth day of the assizes,
. . , A.D. 1200.
against Richard de Lee, on a plea for a ' caricuri ' of
land situated in Leicestershire. Richard not appearing, it was
decreed that the land should be held under the king ; and Rich-
ard was summoned to appear at Westminster, on St. John's Day,
to make whatever appeal necessary."
The abbreviations Le, Lee, Leg, and Legh, each stood for Lee,
as we find, —
Henricus de Le,
Rodolphus de la Lee,
Ricardus de la Lee,
which are of the same family ; their names evidently having
been written at different periods and places, varied with the
changes of time and language. As we approach a later period,
the name assumes its more definite shape.
From " The Fine Rolls," or " Rotuli Finem," as preserved in
the Tower of London, which q-ive a succinct history
A.D. 1268.
of each individual case, from the sixth year of King
John to Edward IV., we are able to deduce much interesting
matter connected with the Lees, as well as with the families with
which they intermarried.
" William de la Le (or Lee) and Alicia gave a half-mark for
a writ from the king's bench for a hundred of land in the county
of Wiltshire."
" The kino^ also took homas^e of Henrici de Le, son and heir
of Johannes de Lee, deceased (who held lands under the king's
head), for all tenants which his father, the said Johannes, held
under the king ; and that the said lands and tenants be returned
to him. It was ordered that the Escheator of Lancashire take
14 INTRODUCTION.
security of the aforesaid Henry, on account of the kinar,
A.D. 1268. ^ . ^ „
for the return of the said lands and tenants," upon
which conditions, it seems, they were released to him.
We next find '' Hcnrici de Lega, who, with his wife Eugenia,
gave one mark for a hearing before the assizes of Eborasci ; "
and again, we find that " the king respited Roger de Leye, or
Lee, until the Easter term following, for a debt or fine of ^70
for a hundred of land." He is respited until the Easter terra
following; and the barons are ordered to "conform to this
decree, which is given at Windsor, Nov. 10, 1268."
The names of Johannes, Ricardus, and Phillipus Lee, continue
to be repeatedly mentioned on these rolls, which agree so nearly
in time and circumstances with those of the old genealogy now
presented, as to show the identity not only of the family, but
even of the persons.
The family seat of the Lees, at this date, we are un-
A.D. 1269.
able definitely to locate, though Burke, in his " Landed
Gentry" of England, says, "Cotton Hall, the ancient family seat
of the Lees, descended from father to son from the reign of Ed-
ward L to the eighteenth century," which, we may suppose, was
the family seat of the Lees at the time this genealogy com-
mences. Essex was the county first settled by Launcelot Lee ;
and Ditchly, the home of that branch of the Lees.' It was the
manor of Sir Henry Lee, Esq., of Quarendon, Buckinghamshire,
who was created Earl of Litchfield, on the 2 2d May, 161 1, which
is the first earldom of that place we find recorded. He was
succeeded by his son. Sir Edward Henry Lee, Baronet, who was
created Baron of Spelsbury, Viscount Quarendon, and Earl of
Litchfield, 5th January, 1674. With him the title became extinct.
INTRODUCTION. 1 5
The Lees of England were zealous supporters of the
Stuarts. We find many of the names recorded in our ' ' '" ^'
present genealogy among those holding ofifice and important
positions under the crown during the reign of that unfortu-
nate family. There is a record of two distinguished persons in
connection with the formation of this genealogy, — of Sir William
Dugdale, Clarencicux-at-arms, who made a " visitation " to Shrop-
shire in 1663 * and of Richard Lee, who was also Clarencieux-
at-arms in the year 1594. This latter was unquestionably one
of the Lee Family, and possibly originated the record.
With this introductory notice, we now present this ancient
genealogical record. We have endeavored to increase its inter-
est by adding such links and facts as we have been able to collect
by correspondence with those connected with the family, and by
diligent search through such volumes of ancient English history
and heraldry as the principal libraries of our country afford.
The numbers in brackets refer the reader to remarks which
are to be found in the Appendix.
* See Harleian Manuscripts.
xms 0f i\u ^u gamilg.
fN Europe, during the primeval ages, as early as a.d. 800,
heraldry was the only conventional method of distinguishing
families, and even nations, and their representatives. So neces-
sary was it in the absence of a more enlightened mode of
distinction, that it was reduced, at an early period, to a science,
for the designation of both private and public dignity. A sim-
ple device, characteristic of the person or family, was usually
worn. The heraldic crest, shield, and supporters were not
merely confined to the heads of governments, but were also
adopted by each family of hereditary eminence who aspired to
distinction ; and thus, in time, the escutcheon held a more potent
sway than the cross of the middle ages.
Amid the many and various-colored devices which were
adopted and added to the shield by intermarriage or promotion,
there would always be one distinguishing feature to show the
origin of the family, which was usually denoted by the crest.
This would be handed down to their posterity as a sacred object,
never to be lost sight of; and thus the parent stock would always
be retained amid the complicity of symbolic forms of successive
ages, and could readily be traced to its original source.
22 ARMS OF THE LEE FAMILY.
From the many works on heraldry, we find several forms and
descriptions of the Lee arms, each of which . vary in minor
particulars, though retaining one distinguishing feature ; viz., the
crest, representing a squirrel eating a nut. This single heredi-
tary mark is still borne upon the family plate of the Lees of
Virginia, and can be traced as far back as we have a record
of the family.
The old genealogical document has given us two sets of col-
ored arms, one for each branch of the family, exact copies of
which are given in the frontispiece to this work.
The arms here given are those of Alliance, as indicating
intermarriage of families, and, when adopted, were called an
Escutcheon of Pretence when the bride was an heiress.
In our introductory remarks, a description of the Lee arms,
of the House of Litchfield, is given ; which consist of " a shield,
bend sinister, battled and embattled; crest — a closed visor, sur-
mounted by a squirrel holding a nut, with the motto, —
' Noil iiicautus futuru "
The only resemblance here is the squirrel. In Mr. William
Berry's " Heraldic EncyclopEedia," the Lee arms of Langly
are thus given : —
" Gides (red) fesse ; compony or (gold), and azure (blue), be-
tween eight billets <^r^^;zzf (white). Crest — on a staff raguly, a
squirrel cracking a nut ; from dexter end of staff, an oak-branch
fructed, all pp''."
Another is given also of the same family, though a different
branch : ■ —
" Gzdes fesse counter compony or, and argent, between thirteen
billets, seven in chief and six in base of last."
ARMS OF THE LEE FAMILY. 2$
Another is given, —
''Argent, a chevron between three leopards' heads, sable
(black)."
The Lee arms of Sussex are thus given : —
''Azure (blue), a lion rampant guardant. Argeiit ; crest — a
stag's head erased or (gold)."
We observe the similarity in each of these to that we are
discussing ; the only difference being, that our original contains
fourteen billets, seven above and below the fesse.
Of the Lees of Cotton, Burke, in his " British Commoners,"
gives alm.ost an exact drawing of the arms as shown in our old
document, and which he thus describes : —
"The arms of Lee of Cotton are quarterly, ist and 4th,
Gules (red) a fesse, checkee or and azure, between six billets
argefit. 2d, Party-per-bend indented gules and or, two fleurs-
de-lis. 3d, Vert (green) — a cross engrailed; argent. Crest —
a squirrel pp'., between two hazel-branches. Motto, ^
" Non nobis tajitum nati."
This answers more closely to our arms than any that has
heretofore been given ; the only exception being in the number
of billets, which, in our original set for the House of Cotton,
is ten, four above and six below the fesse. The other portions
here described somewhat resemble the Langley combination.
The arms of Langley are thus described in the original
manuscript : —
" I. Lee.
2. Astly.
3. Kirton (most like it).
4. Pessal.
5. John de Orton (most like it).
6. Leer
24 ARMS OF THE LEE FAMILY.
The first and sixth are aUke, and, together with the crest,
from the original Lee coat-of-arms. Of the famihes represented
as connected by marriage, we have, first, that of Astly, described
as a " cinquefoil, on an azure field, surrounded by an engrailed
border argent^
We have already seen that Robert de la Lee married a
daughter of Thomas Astly, a.d. 1385; hence their arms of
connection are added.
The cinquefoil is also found in the Lambert arms of Surrey,
with whom a member of the Lee Family was connected.
The third division is given as nearly resembling the Kirton
arms, which are found in Mr. Berry's " County Genealogy" as
"Quarterly — ^x?>\., argent, 2i fesse ; and chevron in q\\\^{, gules','
from which we gain the white fesse and chevron on a red
field.
The Kirtons were of Westmoreland County, and a family of
distinction.
The fourth, or Pessal Family, is thus spoken of in Burke's
" Dormant Peerage : " —
" Richard de Pershall, or Peshall, son of Richard Peshall, and
Alice Somerton, his wife, was a knight, and a person of great
power in Staffordshire, having been high sheriff, an office
to I ^^^"^ '^^ those days of great authority, from seventh year of
Edward III. to eleventh and fifteenth. From him de-
scended Hugh Peshall or Pessal (as it afterwards became), the
first of the family who resided at Horsely, in County of Staf-
ford.
" He was sheriff, time fourth year of Henry VII., and
A.D. 1489. . •' ■'
married Juliana, daughter of Sir Robert Corbet of
Morton Corbet."
ARMS OF THE LEE FAMILY. 25
Thus we gain their arms through the Corbets, in
which family Sir Humphry Lee married. Their arms ^'^' ''^^^'
are thus described : —
" Cross forme flourette sable ; on a Canton £-2cks, a wolf's head
of the first.
"Created 1612, dormant since 171 2."
The " cross, patee or,'' is also found a prominent feature in the
Bathiirst arms, in which one of Launcelot Lee's daughters mar-
ried. The '' Deer head'' is given as forming the crest of the
Smith arms, a member of which married a daughter of Sir
Richard Lee of Langley.
The fifth, the Orton or Horton arms, are described by the
same author as bearing the " lion rampant : " it is also to be
found in the Carter arms of Kent ; Dr. William Carter marrying
Mary, daughter of Launcelot Lee, Esq. The lion is found also
a marked feature of the Gcodwin arms of Buckinghamshire, to
a member of which Ann Lee, daughter of Sir Henry Lee, was
married. -
From this coat-of-arms, therefore, we should judge that the
Langley branch of the Lees were intimately connected with noble
blood, which their arms represent, through the "lion rampant,"
as savoring of royalty.
The Cotton arms, as shown in the original, are quarterly, and
represent only the family of Lee and Astly. They resemble the
Langley arms, but embrace only ten billets and three bars checkee
in the fessc.
To the student of heraldry, the billets, embattled bars, cinque-
foil, and other devices in varied colors, will each be found to
have an especial meaning.
26 ARMS OF THE LEE FAMILY.
The checkee fesse and billets on an ensanguined
field denote War.
The cross, Religion.
The lion, Royalty.
The cinquefoil, on blue field. Grandeur, &c.
We thus learn the history of families from the various
bearings of the escutcheon ; and those now presented will doubt-
less be cherished as representing an old Revolutionary family,
whose coat-of-arms is quartered with those of Gen. Washington.
s^ncalogial Pstotg of t\u ^n gawilg,
?^HE testimony here given, showing the validity
of the old genealogy, is found at the e7zd of the ' ' '^^°*
original ; but we have placed it first, that we may enter into the
examination of the old document with the greater satisfaction
upon establishing its authenticity.
Charles Townly was one of the sir heralds commonly called
York, Lancaster, Chester, Windsor, Richmond, and Somerset,
each of whom had his " pursuivant," or attendant, who was styled
Bleu-Mantel, Rouge-Croix, Rouge-Dragon, or Portcullis ; hence
we see, that John Pomfret (Rouge-Croix) was the attendant of
Charles Townly, York Herald, by whose authority the pedigree
and coat-of-arms were extracted from the herald's office.
In early times, heralds were employed to demand redress of
injuries from foreign powers, carry messages of amity or defiance,
and proclaim peace or war. At a later period, they recorded or
emblazoned armorial bearings, and arranged public ceremonies;
hence the establishment of the herald's office. The herald or
pursuivant had authority to erase any coat-of-arms illegally borne,
or to grant it to those families entided thereto.
We have the authenticity of the paper established, not only by
the following evidence, but also by the crown-stamp upon the
27
28 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
paper of that date (1750), and which is clearly discerned
on the original with the motto, ''Pro Patria ejusque
Libertate,'' encircling the lion rampajtt, bearing in one hand the
" faces," the other the mace of office ; the whole surmounted by the
crown, underneath which are the letters " V. R. G. H. E. Y. T.,"
which doubtless denote the seal and motto of the herald's office.
Charles Townly, York Herald, evidently copied the pedigree
from the original in the herald's office, as the hand-writing is the
same throughout, with a marked difference from that of his col-
league, John Pomfret, whose signature comes last, accompanied
with the date.
" Huso de Leo;a or de La, as in the old chart without
A.D. 1200.
date.
This is the first record upon the old genealogy, and indicates
the origin of the name. In our researches, we find but one
mention of a Hm^o Lee, which occurs in " The Testa de Neville,"
or Feodorum Book, embracing the reigns of King Henry HI.
and Edward I. The original entry is as follows: —
*'Hugo de Lega Tenet hydam terre p. svic^ xxx"" ptis unius
milef^ deo honore."
This was given in Bedfordshire. We may safely infer that
Hugo Lee is in direct descent from Lionel Lee, from what has
already been given ; but, that he came over with the Conqueror,
we have every reason to doubt, since his name is not to be
found in the record of that event which, estimating from the first
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 29
genealogical date given, would leave a period of more
A.D. 1200.
than two hundred years unrecorded.
We have previously spoken of the origin of the name, which
we here find is Lega ; and, save the mention of an " old chart,"
we have nothing to indicate the time and place referred to.
" Reginaldus Lee, to whom William, son of William
son of Alani, conceded the lands by petition of Fulco, ^'^\ ^^^
son of Warini."
Reginaldus Lee was a direct descendant, though probably not
a son, of Hugo Lee. We find him mentioned in the parlia-
mentary writs of this period as a burgess returned for Bridg-
worth in 1307, and also again in 131 5; parliament being then
held at Westminster.
From the same records of the time of Edward L, we find a
Reginaldus Lee made chief assessor and collector for the counties
of Shropshire and Stafford; his commission being granted 1275.
Willus, abbreviated for " Willielmus," we find, by reference to
the old Feodorum Book, was the son of Warren Lee, who was
Baron of Wahull : the genealogical table, however, leads us to
suppose him to be the grandson of Alan Lee, who appears to
have been a baron of Shropshire at this time.
We find it added, in the work referred to above, that " Fulco,
son of Warini," held one knight's fee in Alderfer, Shropshire,
30 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
under Baron T. Corbet* by whose intercession Regi-
A.D. 1300. . - , ,
naldus Lee succeeds to the possession ol the Lee
Estate.
The word " terras," here given, signifies large tracts of arable
land, or " Terra arabilis," which were granted by the Conqueror
to his followers, and which were afterwards ceded by the county
barons to their attendants.
There being no accompanying date or locality given, we can
only infer that this estate was situated in Shropshire.
" Johis de Lee, knight or soldier, to whom Hugo de
A.D. 1298 ;^jj^^Qj^ grave lands, as per chart, without date. Lived
to 1302. O 1
twenty-sixth year of Edward L The father of Thomas
Lee, thirtieth year of Edward L"
This is the first entry upon the genealogy with date. We
find among the parliamentary writs, that a John de Lee, knight
of Essex, was sent to parliament, a.d. 1307; and also that
" Johannes, son of William de Lee, or Leye, certified, as per writ
at Clipston, a.d. 1316, as one of the lords of the township of
Leigh, and was made Esquire, or man-at-arms, for the county of
Bedford."
We have here another grant of lands to the family for gallant
services ; as it states that this member of the family was a "knight,"
or attendant, of Hugo de Hinton, who was probably one of the
Conqueror's favorites ; and is mentioned in the " Testa de Neville"
as from Northamptonshire, and holding lands under Buchamstad.
* See Feodorum Book, p. 45.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 3 1
The term " miles," as here appHed, sometimes sisf-
. A.D. 1302.
nified a soldier, but more frequently a person of higher
distinction ; since Kelham says, —
" Men that held great estates of the earls and barons of Eng-
land, as five, six, seven, eight or ten knights' fees, were called by
them their barons ; but were not ' barones-regis,' or parliamentary
barons : and as the kino^ had, so these earls and barons, their
dapifers, chamberlains, and other officers in their households."*
Thomas Lee, whose father, Johis Lee, was given in the pre-
vious entry, here bequeaths to his eldest son, as was the English
custom, the patrimonial estate near Pebenhull, a small ancient
village of Shropshire, now extinct.
From a portion of the mutilated deeds accompanying the
pedigree, as well as by reference to the parliamentary writs,
A.D. 1 3 16, Thomas de Leye, or Lee, is given (as one of the lords
of Staunton) a church, or glebe, in the county of Shropshire.
It seems he received a grant of lands to be held in his own right,
from John Le Fitz William of Tetterton.
The wife of Thomas Lee is also here given, who was a daugh-
ter of Thomas Corbet, of the great Shropshire Family of Corbet,
or Corbett, of Morton-Corbet.
The first mention of this ancient family is made under the
" Tenants in Capite," from William the Conqueror.
Lyson also says, " The manor of Lyton, or Leyton Grange,
one of those included in this county (Essex), in the estate of
* See Doomsday Book, p. 273.
32 GENEALOGICAL HLSTORY
Robert de Corbutis (Corbet), was given by Walter Cor-
pechum to the Abbot and Convent of Stratford-Lang-
thorne, and confirmed by Ralph de Arderm about the year 1200."
A Robert-Fitz-Corbet is also mentioned as under-tenant to
Earl Roger de Montgomery, in Shropshire, at the time of the
survey. There are several Thomas Corbcts mentioned in the
Feodorum Book, one of whom is spoken of as holding a knight's
fee in Tasseleg, Shropshire, who is probably the one here referred
to. There was also a Baron T. Corbet of Shropshire.
The terra " villa " is used for a manor, or lordship, though
frequently applied to a collection of houses as vil, or village.
" Res^inaldus Lee, to whom his father g^ives the Lee
A.D. 1321. . '=' . ^ ,
Villa. Lived fourteenth year of Edward II."
This entry simply confirms the previous one, by adding the
year in which the transfer is supposed to have been made.
"Johis Lee, soldier, son of Reginaldus Lee of the
^■^ *^ ^^^ House of Roden, fifteenth 3^ear of Edward II., and first
year Edward III. Married, first, Alicia, thirteenth Ed-
ward II.; second, Matilda, daughter of Henry Erdington."
This was the eldest son of Reginaldus Lee, who necessarily
inherited the Roden Estate. He married twice. His first wife,
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 33
Alicia, who was of the House of Haberly, seems, by
the old deeds, to have been a widow at the time of her ' ' ^^^
to 132s.
marriage with Johis Lee ; as a marriage-contract was
made in which Alicia settled most of her property upon her
three children, — Thomas, Oliver, and Isabella: she died soon
after, leaving no further issue. Johis Lee married again, a.d.
1328. His second wife was Matilda Erdington, by whom he had
two children.
Johis, or Johannes, Lee, as it was frequently written, is men-
tioned quite often among the parliamentary writs of Edward II.
We find him the 5th March, 1316, certifying, as per writ, as one
of the lords of the township of Birrington (or Biriton), Shropshire
He was also one of the commissioners of array for the same
county, 1322 ; and was made knight of the county, and summoned
to parliament, 14th November, 1322.
From the same records, we also find Henry Erdington quite
prominent as a public man, from 1309 to 1324. He was a knight
of Lancaster; enlisted in 1300 against the Scots, at the head
of a company ; was one of the assizers and collectors of Warwick,
and conservator of the peace for the same county, &c.
" Robert Lee, son of Johis Lee, of the House of Roden,
eighth year of Richard II. Marries Margaret, daughter
and heiress of Thomas Astley of Nordley."
A.D. 1385.
Under the parliamentary writs, we find that a Robert de la
Lee was one of the followers of the Earl of Hereford, and was
5
34 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
pardoned of all offences committed in the " persuit of
A.D. 1385. ^ , . ,
the dispensers'' in company witn that earl ; but it seems
this was afterwards revoked, as certain commissioners were ap-
pointed to pursue and arrest him and others. This occurred
Aug. 20, 1 32 1, which would render it probable that he died in
1385, the date above given.
In the same record, we also find that Thomas de Astley was in
the same expedition, under Earl Roger de Mortimer of Wigorn,
and was also pardoned.
From Burke's " Extinct Baronasfc of Ens^land," we derive the
following concerning this family: —
" The Astleys derive their name from the Manor of Astley, or,
as originally \mx\\X.q.t).,. Eastley, in the County of Warwick, of
which they were lords as early as Henry I. Sir Thomas Astley,
knight, was constituted, in the twenty-sixth of Henry HI., one of
the king's justices for the gaol delivery at Warwick. Sir Thomas
was one of the leaders amongst the barons who fell in 1264, with
Montford, Earl of Leicester, and other rebellious lords.
" The Astleys intermarried with the Corbets, Wrotesleys, and
Lees. Their seats were afterwards Hill, Morton, and Patshull."
From Guilliam's " Heraldry," we find it stated that " there have
been of this family (Astley), successively, barons of parliament
from Edward L to Henry V., and one Knight of the Garter in
Henry VL"
The Astley arms, it will be observed, are blended with those
of Lee ; and the Nordley Estate descended to the posterity of
Robert Lee.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 35
Johannes Lee, the youngest son of Robert Lee, inher-
its Nordley. He, too, evidently marries into a distin- ^'^' '^°°'
guished family, as his issue forms another branch of the family,
in which the large estate of Nordley descended many generations.
The Packingtons, though not previously mentioned, are a well-
established family, many of the name being still found through-
out Enofland.
1214151
" Rogerus Lee, son and heir, first lord of Langley. Marries
Johanna, daughter and heiress of Edward Burnell."
Being the eldest son of Robert Lee, he succeeds to most of
the property on the paternal side, and his issue forms the direct
line, or first branch, of the family. He also marries an heiress,
by whom he obtains the Langley Estate, situated in Shropshire.
Edward Burnell is mentioned in the parliamentary writs of
Edward H. as the son and heir of Philip Burnell, who was sum-
moned to parliament as a baron in 1316, and held lands in
fourteen counties.
" Robert Lee of Langley, in the county of Shropshire.
Marries Petronilla , as appears per chart dated ^•^- '\'°
eleventh year of Henry IV., and another seventeenth
of Henry VI., and also another dated twentieth of Henry VI.
Continuing with the main stem through the issue of Rocrer
36 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Lee, his eldest son here marries a lady of much fortune,
if we judge from the number of charts or grants re-
ferred to.
The omission of the family name, as in this case, is frequently
met with in such records ; and it was not considered entirely
necessary.
" Radolphus Lee, living twenty-fifth year of Henry
■ ^"^"^ VL, and eis^hteenth of Edward IV., died nineteenth of
to 1491. ' *
Edward IV. Married Isabella, who was a widow, and
daughter of Jacob Ridley, twentieth year of Edward IV."
This record appears more explicit than any heretofore given.
Supposing Radolphus was born twenty-fifth Henry VI. (1447), he
was about forty-three years of age at his decease.
From the old deeds, we find that his wife inherited property
situated in the villages of Haxalls, Acton, Burnell, and Buryton,
in Shropshire
" Richard Lee of Langley, in the county of Shropshire, a.d.
1 49 1, twentieth year of Edward IV. Married Margaret, daughter
and co-heir of Fulco Sprenchose, knight."
Here we observe the first omission of de, or le. Richard Lee,
the only child of Radolphus, succeeds to the whole estate, and
married, as it is further stated in the deeds, the widow of Johis
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 37
Wimsbly, through whom Richard acquired a large estate
in Dotinton.
This Richard Lee is doubtless the " Richard " referred to in
our introductory article as enlisting against the Scots.
A.D. i486
From Richard Lee we have seven children, — five sons
and two dauditers.
^ lu 1 54U.
The issue of three of the sons, Thomas, Rodolphus,
and Johannes, is not given. The second son, Richard, married a
daughter of Macocks, and lived during the reign of Henry VII.:
he left one child, a daughter, who succeeded to his property, and
married Thomas Kinaston, of Cotton, in the county of Shrop-
shire.
This Richard Lee, as appears from ancient record, was the
king s surveyor, since we find a letter written to " Richard Lee,
Esq., surveyor of the king's workes at Guisnes, declaring the kings
Highness' pleasure touching the conveyance of water through
the town of St. Peter's, and the opening of a drain," &c. ; also
" at Windsor, 1540, an order was sent to Richard Lee, surveyor
of Calais, to answer charades as^ainst him, and to use himself
towards the king's ofiicers as his duty doth appertain." *
Fulco Lee, the eldest son and heir of Langley, married twice ;
first, Alicia, daughter of Henry Cornwall of Birington, in the
county of Hereford, of which family, Burke, in his " Landed
Gentry of England," says, " The Cornwalls are descended from
Richard de Cornwall, who had the manor of Thunneck, in Lin-
* See Privv Council, vol. vii.
38 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
colnshire, from Edward, Earl of Cornwall, eighth of
' ^^^°' Edward I., 1280. He was ancestor of the Cornwalls,
barons of Burford, the senior line of which family is now repre-
sented by the heir, Gen. George Cornwall Leigh, Esq., of High-
Leigh, Cheshire." By his second wife, Richard Lee had one
daughter, who married. He is mentioned among the records of
the privy council of Henry VHI. as one of the witnesses in a suit
of Chandler against Wrotesley for possession of the Lee Manor.
Chandler, it seems, made a false accusation, and was made to
apologize to Sir Thomas Wrotesley.
Margeria, the eldest daughter of Richard Lee, married Thomas
Vernon, second son of Sir Henry Vernon of Hodnet, Shropshire,
second Earl of Shrewsbury, and who was a descendant of Richard
Vernon, a follower of William the Conqueror. By this marriage,
there was but one child, a daughter ; and the line became extinct
in 1600. Lord George Venable Vernon was made a peer in
1762, and married his second wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas
Lee of Hartwell, Buckingham, who died Sept. 22, 1742.
Thomas Lee, Esq., of Langley, is the only son of
A.D 1574 p^j^Q Lgg 1^ j^-g ^j-g^ wife. FallinQT heir to an im-
to 1600. ■'■ ^
mense estate, he married into the distinguished family
of Corbet, forming the second alliance between the two families.
This Robert Corbet, the father of Jana, of Morton-Corbet, Shrop-
shire, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Vernon. Robert
Corbet also had another daughter Elizabeth, who married Sir
Henry Wallop, Earl of Portsmouth.*
* See Peerage of England.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 39
By the union of Thomas Lee and Jane, there were
ten children, — three sons and seven dauditers. ' ' l^"^^
' * to 1600.
All the daughters married, one of whom was united
to another of the Corbet Family, of whom Burke mentions, —
" Sir Edward Corbet of Longnor and of Leighton, knight, was
created a baronet in 1642. The senior branch of the family
expired in 1774, with Sir Richard Corbet, baronet, whereupon the
title descended upon Charles Corbet of London, great grandson of
Thomas, the second son of the first baronet. Edward Corbet
of Longnor Hall, Shropshire, J. P. and D. L., lieutenant -colonel
of Shropshire Militia, 181 7, is a descendant of this branch."*
The eldest daughter, Jocosa, marries Robert Morton of Hough-
ton, who was a widower at the time, as a dauo^hter of his marries
Thomas Lee of Nordley. Maria, the fourth daughter, marries
Edward Plowden, of which family Burke speaks : —
" The Family Plowden have been seated at Plowden, in Shrop-
shire, from a period anterior the earliest records extant in the
vicinity. " Roger Plowden, of Plowden, who was a Crusader under
Richard Coeur de Lion, is stated to have been present at the
siege of Acre, in 11 94, and to have received for his gallant ser-
vices the augmentation of the ' Fkzcrs-dc-Lys,' borne ever since
by his descendants. From him descended Edward Plowden, who
married Mary, daughter of Thomas Lee of Langley, in Shrop-
shire, and had a son Humphry."!
Richard Lee, eldest son and heir, married a dauo^hter of Walter
Wrotesley, of Wrotesley, of which family we gather an interesting
account: —
"About the period of the Norman Conquest, the manor of
Wrotesley, in Stafford, from which this family derives its name,
« See Burke's Landed Gentry of England. t Burke's Commoners.
40 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
was in possession of the monks of Evesham ; and it so
continued until the reign of Henry II., when the holy
fathers exchanged it for Moreton and other lands.
"Sir Hugh de Wrotesley attended Edward III. at the siege of
Calais, and had a license from that monarch in the same year
(twenty-third) to make a park at Wrotesley. Sir Hugh was sub-
sequently very famous, and was amongst the first Knights of the
Garter upon the institution of that order. From him descended
Sir Walter Wrotesley, of Wrotesley, who was created a baronet
in 1642. This gentleman distinguished himself by zealous attach-
ment to the royal cause during the civil wars, and converted his
mansion into a garrison for the king. Sir Walter married a
daughter of John Grey, Esq., of Enville, Stafford, by whom he
had three sons and four dau2:hters."*
The second daughter of Sir Walter married Sir John Talbot,
son of Sir Gilbert Talbot, and grandson of John, second Earl of
Shrewsbury. From this marriage is descended the Hon. WiUiam
Talbot, Earl of Talbot, 1761.
This Richard Lee is frequently mentioned among the records
of Oueen Elizabeth's reiarn as Clarencieux-at-arins. or heraldic
officer to the crown. From the Lansdowne collection of manu-
scripts, we find him writing to Lord Burleigh, under date of June
24, 1594, stating his reasons "why he used a hearse at the funeral
of a knight bachelor." We gather also from the " Cottonian "
collection of the same period, that Richard Lee was sent to the
Emperor of Russia about the year 1600; and we further find
among the Harleian collection a " Visitation " of Oxford, as
made by " Richard Lee of Portcullis, pursuivant, and afterwards
Windsor herald, and lastly Clarencieux-at-arms, a.d. 1574."
* Burke's Peerage and Baronage.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 4 1
The arms of the city of Oxford, consistina: of the
A.D. 1600.
helm, crest, and supporters, were granted at this time by
Mr. Lee. The " visitations " of Mr. Lee, as pubHshed by himself
in 1584, were reprinted in 1661, and are now to be found in the
British Museum. In this work may be found the " Atchevient "
of Vernon of Hadnot (these Vernons having " supporters " by
ancient usage) ; also the arms of the Shropshire nobility and
gentry. Richard Lee, it seems, was also created Richmond
herald and marshal to Robert Cook, who was Clarencieux
A.D. 1564.
Among the chancery proceedings of the reign of Queen Eliza-
beth, we find an interesting suit between this Richard Lee and
his brother Jerome, for an annuity bequeathed the latter by
Thomas Lee, their father, issuing out of the Manor of Dotinton,
Shropshire, as claimed under the will ; from which fact we may
infer that Thomas Lee died some time during the reign of that
queen.
We have from Richard and Eleanor Lee another
A.D. 1620.
large family, four sons and six daughters. All the
daughters were married ; but the marriage of only one son is
given, — that of Humfry Lee, the eldest, who was created a
baron 3 May, 1620.
From Burke's " Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England "
we gather much concerning Sir Humfry and his family: —
" Humfry Lee, Esq., of Langley, and Acton Burnel in Shrop-
shire, son of Richard Lee, Esq., of Langley, by Eleanor his wife,
6
42 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
daughter of Walter Wrotesley, Esq., of Wrotesley, was
fourth in descent from Richard Lee, Esq., sheriff of the
county in 1479, and representative of one of the oldest families
in England. In 1620 he was created a baronet, being the first
Shropshire gentleman who received that honor. He married
Margaret, daughter of Richard Corbet, Esq., of Stoke, one of the
judges of the Court of King's Bench, and had issue.
" Sir Humfry was succeeded by his son, Sir Richard Lee of
Langley, and Acton Burnel, M. P. • for Shropshire, who suffered
much in the royal cause, and had to compound his estate in the
sum of ^3,719.
" He married Elizabeth, dauorhter of Sir Edward
A.D. 1660. ...
Allen, knight and alderman of London ; and left at his
decease, in April, 1660, issue to survive him, — two daughters, his
co-heirs ; viz., Rachel, married to Richard Cleaton, Esq., second
son of Ralph Cleaton, of Otely, in Shropshire. She obtained for
her inheritance Lea Hall, and the other estates of her ancestors
in that neighborhood, and transmitted them to her descendants
in the third generation. Richard Cleaton had two daughters :
I. Alathea, married to Watkins Williams Wynne, Esq., of Voclas,
in Denbighshire, whose daughters married — the one, the Hon.
Charles Finch ; the other, Thomas Asheton Smythe, or Smith,
Esq., of Tedworth, Hants. Lea Hall and other estates were sold
to Sir Thomas Tywhitt Jones, baronet. 2. Mary, married Edward
Smythe, Esq., who was created a baronet, and ancestor of the
present Sir Edward Smythe, baronet, of Acton Burnell and
Langley.
"At the death of Sir Richard Lee, the baronetcy became
extinct.
" A branch of this ancient family, that of Cotton Hall, in Shrop-
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 43
shire, which separated at a very early period from the
^ . , A-D. 1660.
parent stock, still preserves a male succession."*
Of the Corbet Family, in which Sir Humfry married (being
the fourth connection between the two families), we have already
given a sketch.
Re2:inald Corbet is probably son of Robert Corbet of
* ^ ■> _ A.D. 1620.
Moreton, in which case Margareta is cousin to Sir
Humfry.
Among the chancery proceedings of Queen Elizabeth's reign,
we find many suits in which Sir Humfry is a party, a few of
which we give as being interesting, and enabling us to establish
more fully our genealogical statements.
In a suit of Edward Bacon for possession of "the Brompton
Mannor, the late estate of Alicia, widdow of Reginald Corbet,
Esq., deceased," the names of Alicia Corbet, Richard Corbet,
Humfry Lee and wife, Roger Lee, Jerome Corbet, and many
others, are given as parties interested.
We find Sir Humphry Lee as "defendant in a suit of Thomas
Corbet for a fraud in a deed of property in Munden, Shropshire,
late estate of Thomas Colfax."
Again, we find him as defendant in a suit of Richard Lyster,
"for relief of extent concerning property in Broughton, Shrop-
shire, the late estate of his father, Richard Lyster."
We have recorded the marriage of a sister of Sir Humfry Lee
with Miclirs Lyster, doubtless son of the said Richard, in whose
behalf Sir Humfry is enlisted. We find among the same
"proceedings" a suit, which Henry Vannor, who married the
fourth daughter of Sir Richard Lee, sustains against Thomas
* Burke's Commoners.
44 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Owen, Edward Horton, Richard Parker, Ann Vannor,
A.D. 1620. . . ' . .
widow, and Luke and Gabriel Gunn, " for relief against
cancelled bonds given by the plaintiff's father for performance of
covenants."
It seems the plaintiff's father, Henry Vannor, being seized of
lands, &c., in Condover, called Houghton-Fields, Shropshire, sold
the same to defendants, Horton, Audly, and Parker: Parker,
however, sells his third part to Richard Lee, the plaintiff's father-
in-law, who again conveys the same to plaintiff's father, Henry
Vannor, which third part he claims by descent. The defendant,
Parker, at the same time released the plaintiff's father from a
bond of two thousand pounds, given him and others with the said
bargain and sale ; which release the plaintiff states to be still in
defendant's hands, and prays recovery and relief from suits on
said bond, and also for the inheritance of the said third part*
The suit appears long and complicated, but interesting, in
regard to the parties connected with the old genealogy.
From the Harleian collection of manuscripts, an original
letter is referred to, from Humfry Lee to Mr. Joe Orenge, dated
Lee, 15th April, 1594, "concerning his being left out of the new
peace commission sent down for the county of Shropshire ; " and
from the same' work, a notice of the Lees of Langley and Cotton,
the originals of which are preserved in the British Museum.
Of the daughters of Sir Humphry Lee, Margaret married Sir
Francis Kynaston, Knight of Otely, in Shropshire.
The remainder were doubtless under aoe at the time
A.D. 1663. _ _ ^
the old genealogy closes, which it here does for the first
branch, after adding the arms of the Lees of Langley, which will
be noticed presently.
* Chancery Proceedings in Privy Council of Queen Elizabeth.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 45
Of the sixth daughter of Sir Richard Lee, Katharine,
who married Johis Heyward, we have some account in
Burke's " Commoners : " —
" The family of Hereford, or Heyward, is of great antiquity,
deriving its name, according to old manuscripts, from a city in
Wales, the residence of the ancient earls of Hereford. They
moved, during the reign of Edward I., to England, and to the
county of Herefordshire. From Roger Hereford, the founder,
time of Henry II., 1170, sprang the numerous family. John
Hereford, of Lofton, was born 8th September, 1558. Wedded, first,
in 1578, Catherine, daughter of Richard Lee of Langley, and had a
son Richard, his heir; second, to Elizabeth, daughter to Humfry
Archer, Esq., of Tamworth, Warwickshire, who died 1641, leaving
a large family."
Johis Lee of Nordley, in the county of Shropshire,
rried I
Corbyne."
Married Elizabeth, dausfhter and heiress of Thomas
W^c have already stated that Roger Lee succeeded to the
Roden Estate by inheritance, and also acquired the Langley Estate
by marriage. We here find Johis Lee possesses Nordley, which
his father acquired through the Astleys.
The Corbyne, or, as it has since become, Corbin Famil}^ is one
of the most ancient and noble of EnHand. Hufro de Corbin, the
founder, is spoken of as holding lands previous to the Doomsday
survey, and probably came over with the Conqueror. The family
still bear nearly the same name, and are scattered throughout
46 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
A.D. 1540.
England and this country. As will be seen hereafter,
the two families intermarried several times.
A.D. 1574
to 1600.
" Thomas Lee of Nordley, in county of Shropshire.
Married Johanna, daughter of Robert Morton of Hough-
ton, Shropshire."
We have already referred to this marriage in speaking of
Thomas Lee of Langley (see 15). Robert Morton evidently was
twice married, Johanna being his daughter by his first wife : he
afterwards married Jocosa, eldest daughter of Thomas Lee of
Langley.
Thomas Lee of Nordley leaves but three children, — Thomas,
Humphry, and Anna. Thomas married an heiress, and left one
son, Francis, who is mentioned in the Lansdowne manuscripts
as petitioning the council to encourage his art of making gun-
powder, rather than buy abroad; and also proposes, in 1588, to
make saltpetre at ninepence per pound.
He probably died unmarried, leaving this branch extinct.
Humphry Lee, the eldest son and heir, marries, and his issue
forms a continuation of the second branch.
" Humfry Lee of Cotton, Shropshire. Married Kath-
A.D. 1600. . -^ ' r
erine, daughter of Johannes Blount of Yeo."
Cotton, the residence of Humphry Lee, which has but once
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 47
been previously mentioned, is situated in Nordley, or, as
it was usually called, the King s-Nordley. Ncrdley is
called after one of the French towns or provinces, and comprised
one of those large tracts of land reserved by the king, under the
term " Terra Regis : " hence these tracts bore the prefix of king,
as King's-Langley, King's-Swinford, and King's-Nordley.
Most of the property of the Lees was situated in this district.
This branch of the family was heretofore known by the district ;
but later, and as the laterals spread, the family-seat of Cotton is
added, to more minutely designate them. Cotton was situated
near Bridnorth, on the road leading to Shrewsbury, the county-
town, and probably formed a village. As has been stated, Cotton
has passed out of the Lee Family.
Of the family of Blount, in which Humfry Lee married, Burke
says, —
" The surname of this family was originally Le Blount ; and Sir
Alexander Cook says he is now the representative of the senior
branch of that ancient house, which had its origin from the
Blondi, or Brondi, of Italy.
" Its patriarchs, the counts of Guisnes, claimed alliance with
most of the royal families of Europe, and counted among their
progenitors the emperors and kings of France, the kings of Den-
mark, and dukes of Bavaria. The family is now know^n under
the name of Croke."
"Johannes Lee of Cotton in King's-Nordley, in county of
Shropshire.
" Married the daughter of Johis Romney, who married a daugh-
ter of John Brington of Stoke."
48 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Here is given the mother of Jocosa, who, we presume,
is of a distinguished family. By this marriage we have
eight children, all sons, the issue of but one of which is given,
though we presume the others married.
Here we have the family residence more minutely located.
From the Cottonian manuscripts we find a Thomas Lee, Chief
Justice of Ireland in 1608. Also a Dr. Edward Lee, Arch-
bishop of York A.D. 1525, and Gilbert Lee, 1588; which renders
it probable they were of this branch of the family. Thomas Lee
left nine children, only two of whom were sons.
Launcelot Lee of Cotton, eldest son and heir of
A.D. 1663. . n ■'
Thomas Lee, is noticed briefly m an interesting article
upon the Lee Family, as found in Bishop Meade's " Old Churches
of Virginia." He was doubtless living at the time the genealogy
was completed, as his age is given ; and we may presume he was
instrumental in its formation.
Launcelot Lee wa:. twice married, both wives being from the
county of Stafford. By his first wife he left three sons, John,
Thomas, and Richard ; the issue of Thomas alone being given.
He was forty-three years of age at the close of the record ; which
would place the marriage of his father about a.d. 1620.
The father-in-law of Launcelot Lee, Thomas Clemson, is men-
tioned among the parliamentary writs of that time as having been
twice married, his second wife being Joyce Cassandra.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 49
By his second wife, a daughter of Henry Gough,
Launcelot Lee left seven children, three sons and four
daughters: of the latter, only two married. From Burke's "British
Commoners" we have an interesting account of this Henry Gough,
who, it appears, was a man of much distinction.
"Gough — a most ancient family, and its members highly dis-
tinguished, reaching from time of Henry I. It founded the noble
house of Calthorpc. The Goughs derive their name from John
Gech, or Gough, of the principality, living in time of Henry IV.
" Her.ry Gough, father of Elizabeth, purchased the lordship and
seat of Old-Fallings in Staffordshire, and was amongst the most
zealous adherents of Charles I., devotino^ himself, heart and for-
tune, to the service of that ill-fated prince.
" His Majesty, during his troubles, stopped at Wolverhampton,
where he was entertained by Madam St. Andrew, a near con-
nection of Mr. Gough ; and that gentleman himself ventured to
accommodate their royal Highnesses, Charles, Prince of Wales,
and James, Duke of York. An ancient tenement still remains at
Wolverhampton, which is part of the house wherein these princely
guests resided.
" A subscription being set afoot to aid the exigencies of the
royal cause, the inhabitants cheerfully contributed according to
their ability : but the most ample supply was expected from Mr.
Gough, whose loyalty was as prominent as his fortune was supe-
rior; when, to the great surprise and disappointment of every
one, he refused any assistance, though strongly urged by the
king's commissioners, who returned in disgust and chagrin.
When night approached, putting on his hat and cloak, Mr. Gough
went secretly, and solicited a private audience of his Majesty.
7
50 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
This appearing an extraordinary request, the dangerous
A.D. 1663. . ... . ^ , , , , . "^ . .
Circumstances of the times considered, the lord-in-waiting
wished to know the object of the request, with an offer to com-
municate it to the king. Mr. Gough persisting, however, to
decline this medium of communication, after much interrogation
obtained admission to the royal presence. He then drew from his
cloak a purse containing a large sum of money,* and, presenting
it with due respect, said, —
" ' May it please your Majesty to accept this : it is all the cash
I have about me, or I would have brought more.' The gift was
so acceptable to the king, that an offer of knighthood was made
to Mr. Gough ; but this loyal subject, having no other view than
to serve his sovereign, declined the honor, which was afterwards
conferred upon his grandson, Henry of Perry Hall, when he was
introduced into the court of Charles H., and had mention made
of the ' loyalty of his ancestors.' "
Henry Gough died in 1655.
It will be seen that John Lee, eldest son by the first wife of
Launcelot Lee, died unmarried ; hence the property falls to
Thomas Lee, second son, who had four children, all of whom
were under age at the close of the genealogy.
Here the old document ends, after adding another coat-of-arms
* Family tradition says twelve hundred pounds. The Goughs were so affluent, that the
country people used to say of this gentleman or his father, —
Here's old Justice Gough,
Who has money enough."
RICHARD L E-E
RICHARDSON AND COMPANY
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 5I
for this branch; but we are enabled to continue the
A.D. 1663.
record to the present time, through Richard Lee, third
son of Launcelot Lee by his first wife, who emigrated to America
about the year 1641, and whose posterity are now widely scattered
over our Southern land.
This Richard Lee is the pioneer of the family in America.
He was married twice, as we learn from his will, which is sub-
joined. The second marriage took place about the year
1640.
We give an extract from a letter of William Lee, Esq., of
Tower Hill, London (son of the celebrated President Thomas
Lee, whose history we give hereafter), concerning this Richard
Lee. The letter is dated 1771.
" Richard Lee, of good family in Shropshire, and whose picture,
I am told, is now at Cotton, near Bridgworth, the seat of Laun-
celot Lee, Esq., some time in the reign of Charles L, went over
to the colony of Virginia as secretary, and one of the king's privy
council, which last part will, for shortness, be called 'of the
council.' He was a man of good stature, comely visage, enter-
prising genius, a sound head, vigorous spirit, and generous nature.
When he got to Virginia, which at that time was not much culti-
vated, he was so well pleased with the country that he made large
settlements there with the servants he carried over. After some
years, he returned to England, and gave all the lands he had
taken up and settled at his expense, to those servants he had
fixed on them, some of whose descendants are now possessed of
very considerable estates in that colony. After staying some
time in England, he returned to Virginia with a fresh band of
adventurers." . . .
The remainder of the article is somewhat similar to the one
52 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
already referred to in our Introduction, from which we
A.D. 1663. ■' • -n- 1 1 T
now quote concerning Richard Lee : —
" Richard Lee, one of the younger branches of the House of
Litchfield, emigrated to America early in the year 1641. He and
Sir William Berkeley kept the colony to its allegiance during the
civil war between Charles L and Cromwell. While Charles IL
was at Breda, Richard Lee went over and had a private con-
ference with him in regard to the colony. On his return, he
and Berkeley succeeded in having Charles H. proclaimed king
of England, France, Scotland, Ireland, and Virginia.^ In grati-
tude for this loyalty, on the Restoration, Charles ordered the
arms of Virginia to be added to those of England, France,
Scotland, and Ireland, with the motto, 'En dat Virginia quin-
TAM."'t
Mr. Charles Campbell, in his highly interesting " Hislory of
Virginia," thus notices Richard Lee : —
" Richard Lee, first of the family in Virginia, great grandfather
of Richard Henry Lee, a cavalier, emigrated from Engiand to
Virginia during the civil commotions, in the time of Charles I.,
and, making several voyages to the mother-country, brought over
with him a number of followers, each of whom received a portion
of land, under the title of ' head-rights.' He probably sett'ed first
* This circumstance has been questioned by some historians.
t In confirmation of this fact, the editor of this work has in his possession a ccpper coin,
which was ploughed up on his farm, in Albemarle County, Va., of the following descrip-
tion : On one side a head, with the words, " Geoi-ghis III. Rex;" on the othei, a shield,
surmounted by a crown, upon which are quartered the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland, and
Virginia, the whole encircled with the word, "Virginia, iTTi" We thus learn the origin of
the term Old Do77iiiiion, which has since been applied to the State of Virginia. There iS one
other similar coin now existing, which is in possession of the Massachusetts Historical
Society.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 53
in York, for he appears a burgess of that county, a.d.
A.D. 1663.
1647 (i Henning Stat, at Large, p. 339)."
The will of Richard Lee is also found in the same work, as
furnished by Mrs. Susan H. Thornton, one of his descendants.
This will is dated 1663, just previous to his last voyage to Vir-
ginia. The following is an extract from it : —
" I, Col. Richard Lee, of Virginia, and lately of Strafford- Lang-
ton in the county of Essex, Esq., being bound out upon a voyage
to Virginia aforesaid, and not knowing how it may please God to
dispose of me in so long a voyage, — First, I give and bequeath
my soul to that good and gracious God that gave it me, and to
my blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, assuredly trusting in and by
his meritorious death and passion to receive salvation, and my
body to be disposed of, whether by sea or land, according to the
opportunity of the place, not doubting but at the last day both
body and soul shall be united and glorified. Also my will and
earnest desire is, that my good friends (Thomas Griffin and John
Locky, merchants in England) will, with all convenient speed,
cause my wife and children — all except Francis, if he be
pleased — to be transported to Virginia, and to provide all neces-
sary for the voyage. . . . To my wife, during her life, I give the
plantation (Stratford) whereon I now reside, ten English servants,
five negroes, three men and two women, twenty sows, and corn
proportionable to the servants. The said negroes I give to her
during her widowhood, and no longer, and then presently to
return to those of the five youngest children : also the plantation
Mock-Neck. Item, — my will and earnest desire is, that my
household stuff at Stratford be divided into three parts, two of
which I give to my son John, and bind him to give to every one
of his brothers a bed, and the other third I give to my wife, Anna
54 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Lee. Item, — I sfive all my plate to my three eldest
A.D. 1663. , . . r 1 1 ,
sons or the survivor or survivors 01 them, each to have
his part delivered to him when he comes to the age of eighteen
years. Item, — I give to my son John and his heirs forever, when
he comes to the age of eighteen years, all my land and planta-
tion at Matholick, all the stock of cattle and hogs thereupon,
also ten negroes ; viz., five men and five women, and ten English
servants for their times, &c." He likewise bequeaths his planta-
tion Paradise, and the servants there, &c., to Richard. The
Paper-Makers '-Neck and War-Captains'-Neck, with five negroes
and ten English servants, to Francis. To his five younger chil-
dren, William, Hancock, Betsy, Ann, and Charles, the testator
bequeaths a plantation including Bishop's-Neck, four thousand
acres of land on the Potomac, and the remainder of two planta-
tions, after the death of his wife, together with the residue of his
estate, real and personal. To his eldest son, John, he bequeaths
"three islands lying in the Bay of Chesapeake, the great bed
that I brought over the last year in ' The Duke of York,' and the
furniture thereto belonging." To William, he bequeaths his lands
on the Maryland side: "also my will is, that goods sufficient be
set apart for the maintenance of the gangs of each plantation for
the space of two years, and all the rest of the goods to be sold to
the best advantage, and the tobacco' shipt home to Mr. Lockey
and Mr. Griffith, &c." To Francis, he gives his interest, " being
one-eighth part in the ship ' Elizabeth and Mary,' and the ship
'Susan.'" The will provides for a fund "for the better education
of John and Richard equally, to assist, the one in his travel for the
attainment of a reasonable perfection in the knowledge of physick ;
the other at the University or the Inns of Court, which he shall
be most fit for."
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 55
From these several extracts, we have much variance
as to time and locality. From the first, we infer that
this Richard Lee is fi-om Cotton, the residence of his father,
Launcelot Lee : the second article speaks of him as of the
" House of Litchfield," of which we have no mention in our table.
In the will, however, he speaks of himself as " lately of Strafford
Langton, in the county of Essex." We also gather from the
tombstone of his son, Richard Lee of Ditchly, Westmoreland
County, that he is " descended of an ancient family of Merton-
Regis, Shropshire." The old genealogical statement is at vari-
ance with each of these accounts, placing him from Southwark, a
small village situated on the Thames, and tributary to London,
being called a " borough " by way of distinction.
This latter was doubtless his residence during the lifetime of
his first wife, Elizabeth Langdon, after whose death, and upon his
second marriage, he removed to Essex, from whence he emigrated
to Virginia as above stated. That the first Richard Lee of Vir-
ginia was of the House of " Cotton," Shropshire, and a descendant
of the branch here recorded, there can be no doubt ; and that
Richard Lee of Southwark is that person we have every reason
to believe, as he is the only descendant of that name given during
that period. This Richard Lee left a family of eight children, six
sons and two daughters, all of whom were under age at the
writing of the above will. His son Richard inherited the home-
stead at Westmoreland, and from him we cpntinue to trace the
family.
^6 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Richard Lee, second son of the first Richard, was
A.D. 1646 1^ . y[^o-\m2L, 1646. He was sent to England with
to 1714. & ' T^ o
his brother to 'complete his education. He graduated
with distinction in law, and, returning to his native State, took an
active part in its legislative councils.
He married the eldest daughter of Henry Corbin. (This
was the father of Col. Thomas Lee, who was the father of
Richard Henry Lee, &c.) He settled upon his large estate in
Westmoreland County, where he built the old family-seat,
Ditchly, the ruins of which are still to be seen.
His father-in-law, Henry Corbin, in the year 1650, came to
America, and settled in the parish of Stratton-Major, King and
Queen County.
The tombstones of Richard and Letitia Lee are still to be
seen in the Burnt House Fields, at Mount-Pleasant, Westmore-
land County, Va.
" Hie conditur corpus Ricardi Lee armigeri nati in Virginia
fili Ricardi Lee, gcnerosi, et antiqua familia in Merton-Regis in
comitatu Salopsiensi oriundi. In magistratum obeundo boni pub-
lici studiosissimi, in literis Grscis et Latinis et aliis humanioris
literature disciplinis versatissimi.
" Deo quem summa observantia semper coluit animam tran-
quillus reddidit xii mo. die Martii anno " MDCCXIV. ; astat
LXVHL"
" Hie Juxta situm est corpus Lsetitia ejusdem uxoris fidae,
filicE Henrici Corbyne, Generosi, liberorum matris amantissimas,
pietate erga Deum charitate, erga egenos, benignitate erga omnes
insignis. Obiit Octob, dii vi. MDCCVL statis XLIX."
RICHARD LEE JR
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 57
" Here lieth the body of Richard Lee, Esq., born in
Virginia, son of Richard Lee, gentleman, descended of
an ancient family of Merton-Regis in Shropshire. While he
exercised the office of a magistrate, he was a zealous promoter
of the public good. He was very skilful in Greek and Latin
languages, and other parts of polite learning.
" He quietly resigned his soul to God, whom he always devoutly
worshipped, on the 12th day of March, in the year 1714, in the
sixty-eighth year of his age.
" Near by is interred the body of Lettuce, his faithful wife,
daughter of Henry Corbin, gentleman. A most affectionate
mother, she was also distinguished by piety toward God, charity
to the poor, and kindness to all. She died on the 6th October,
1706, in the forty-ninth year of her age."
Richard Lee left five sons, — Richard, Philip, Francis, Thomas,
and Henry. Richard Lee, the eldest, married Miss Silk of Lon-
don, who left three children, one of whom married another of the
Corbin Family. Thomas Lee (of whom we will presently speak
more fully) married Miss Ludwell ; and Henry Lee, fifth son
(great grandfather of Gen. Robert E. Lee), married Miss Bland.
From contemporary records we gather further particulars of
this Richard Lee, furnished chiefly by William Lee of London.
"... Richard Lee (second son of the first Richard) spent
almost his whole life in study, and usually wrote his notes in
Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, many of which are now in Virginia; so
that he neither improved nor diminished his paternal estate,
though, at that time, he might with ease have acquired what would,
at this day, produce a princely revenue. He was of the council
of Virginia, and also in other offices of honor and profit, though
58 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
they yielded little to him. He married Miss Corbin,
A.D. 1714. . .
and left behind him five sons — Richard, Philip, Francis,
Thomas, and Henry — and one daughter.
" Richard settled in London as a Virginia merchant, in
partnership with one Thomas Corbin, a brother of his
mother. He married an heiress in England, of the name
of Silk; and left one son, George, and two daughters, Lettuce
and Martha. These three children went to Virginia and settled.
George married a Wormley there, who died, leaving one
daughter ; then he married a Fairfax, nearly related to Lord
Fairfax of Yorkshire, and died, leaving, by his last marriage, three
sons, who are now minors, and are at school in Eno^land,
A.D. 1 77-. & '
under the care of Mr. James Russel. Lettuce married
a Corbin, and her sister married a Turbiville : their eldest children
intermarried, from which union Geors^e Lee Turbiville,
A.D. 1744. . , .
now at school at Winton College, is the eldest issue."
Philip, the second son, went to Maryland early in 1700, and
settled; and is the head of the Maryland branch of the Lee
Family, of which we give a full account at page 1 1 3.
" Francis, the third son, died a bachelor. Thomas,
A.D. 1777.
the fourth son, though with none but a common Vir-
ginia education, yet having strong natural parts, learned the
languages without any assistance but his own genius, and became
a tolerable adept in the Greek and Latin. . . . This Thomas Lee,
by his industry and parts, acquired a considerable fortune ; for
being the younger brother, with many children, his paternal estate
was very small. He was also appointed of the council; and,
though he had few acquaintances in England, he was so well
known by his reputation, that, upon his receiving a loss by fire,
the late Queen Caroline sent him over a bountiful supply from
T H C MAS LEE
l-ij-cliHiiiiiim. Se Coru'jj.iJTy.
OF THE LEE FAMILY.
59
A.D. 177-
her privy purse. Upon the late Sir William Gooche
being recalled, who had been some time governor of
Virginia, he became president of the council and commander-in-
chief of the colony, in which station he continued for some
time, until the king thought proper to appoint him governor of
the colony; but he died before his commission got to him. He
left by his marriage six sons — Philip Ludwell, Thomas Ludwell,
Richard Henry, Francis Lightfoot, William, and Arthur — and
two daughters, all well provided for in point of fortune."
The Hon. Thomas Lee, fourth son of Richard Lee, is
given us in history as one of the most prominent men ^^ j^g^"^
of the early times of Virginia. Of the exact date of his
birth and early life we have no record. The earliest mention of
him is from the article just quoted; and we also find him spoken
of in the article referred to in our Introduction, as " the first
native governor of Virginia under the English government; and
so popular was he in England, that, having suffered a severe loss
by fire. Queen Caroline sent him a large sum of money from her
privy purse, with an autograph letter. The fine mansion of Strat-
ford was built for Thomas Lee, by the East India Company."
Thomas Lee married Hanna Ludwell, daughter of Col. Philip
Ludwell, of Green-Springs, president of the council : she was
grand-daughter of old Philip Ludwell, the first of the family in
Virginia.
Stratford Hall, the residence of President Lee, has been ren-
dered famous, not only from the circumstances under which it
60 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
was built, but as the srreat centre of srenial old Virsfinia
A.D. 1756. . , ^ * ^
hospitality. Here was the headquarters of the fashion,
genius, and nobility of the Old Dominion ; and its extensive
halls and massive corridors not only resounded to the strains of
martial music and the festive dance, but also to the powerful voice
of genius, as it eloquently went forth to establish the political
events of the country.
Stratford Hall is still standing ; and as a distinguished writer,
in speaking of it, says, " Chantilly, the home of the eloquent Lee,
is in ruins ; but Stratford, his birthplace, still stands on the Poto-
mac, as stately as when it was first erected one hundred and
twenty years ago, at the expense of Queen Caroline, for his father,
Thomas Lee, then president of the council. Stratford has no su-
perior in Virginia, and but one rival, Rosewell, on the York."
In a letter received from Mr. Charles Carter Lee of Powhattan,
Va., he thus speaks of the old mansion : —
" In Bishop Meade's work on ' Old Families of Virginia,' there
is an engraving of Stratford as it now appears : but, when I was a
boy, the chimneys of the house were the columns of two summer-
houses, between which there was a balustrade ; and in Col. Philip
Lee's time, during the evening promenade of ladies and gentle-
men, a band of music played the while in one of the summer-
houses. Col. Philip also kept a barge, in which the family en-
joyed the music of his band upon the water. But the house is
more remarkable for being the birthplace of two of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence, and also of my brother
Robert, who was born in the same chamber as they were." In
his " Virginia Georgics," Mr. Lee thus poetically refers to Strat-
ford : —
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 6l
"On the Potomac doth a mansion stand,
Whose walls were built of brick from Old England ;
Eight chimneys formed two summer-house pillars,
From which were seen Potomac's sea-like billows ;
Tall Lombardy poplars, in lengthened row,
Far o'er the woods a dwelling's signal show, —
A pillar of cloud by day to guide the stranger
To a generous board, and his horse to a good manger.
This was the old seat of the Lees, renowned
For what none else can boast of on the ground, —
For being the birthplace of two of the signers
Of the Declaration of Independence. Mine was
Here, too, a circumstance to others worthless.
But much to me, for I am fond of my birthplace.
And am glad the sun first greeted me on earth
Where the moon of independence had his birth.
" I think there was a mile of solid wall
Surrounding offices, garden, stables, and all ;
And on the eastern side of the garden one.
Pomegranates ripened in the morning sun ;
And farther off, yet sheltered by it, grew
Figs, such as those Alcinous' garden knew,
And owned, when they increased my childhood's blisses,
By him who was called the American Ulysses.*
" Yet at the end of this long wall, where played
So often in the soft pomegranate's shade,
Phil, Tom, Dick, Henry, Francis Lightfoot Lee,
William, and Arthur, in their childhood's glee,
Destined, at length, to be such famous men,
Was formed at the same structure a pig-pen :
Perhaps its best description is, 'twas one
End of the wall shaped to an octagon." f
* Col. Henry Lee, of the Legion, who was thus styled by Col. Howard,
t See Vir^nia Georgics, p. 41.
62 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Another writer thus describes the mansion : —
A.D. 1756.
" For the thickness of its walls, and the excellency of
its architecture, it is not surpassed, if equalled, by any in Virginia.
An American writer says there were one hundred rooms in the
house ; but a view of it will show how untrue this is : even
including the basement and large hall, there are not more, I
think, than seventeen, and never were more. Another author
says there were one hundred stalls for horses, as equally untrue."
The following simple inscription upon the tomb of Thomas
Lee is still to be seen at the family-vault, near the old family-
seat : —
" In memory of the Hon. Thomas Lee,
Whose body was buried at Pope's-Creek
Church, five miles above his
Country seat, Stratford Hall.
A.D. 1756."
By the marriage of Thomas Lee, we have eight children, six
sons and two daughters, each of whom is famous in the annals
of our country, and will require a separate notice.
Thomas Lee (known as President Lee) was father
to lyg °^ Philip Ludwell, Richard Henry, Thomas, Francis
Lightfoot, and William, and Arthur. We add, in the
language of Mr. Charles Campbell, "As Westmoreland, their
native county, is distinguished above all others in Virginia as the
birthplace of genius, so, perhaps, no other Virginian could boast
so many distinguished sons as President Lee."
Philip Ludwell Lee, the eldest son, was born at Stratford. He
was a member of the house of burgesses, and took an active part
in the commencement of the struggle for independence.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 63
He resided at Stratford, and maintained the generous
hospitality of his father, as we learn from his descend-
ant, Mr. Charles Carter Lee. He married Miss Steptoe of Vir-
ginia, and had two daughters, Matilda and Flora; one, the wife
of the celebrated partisan leader, Gen. Henry Lee; the other,
the wife of Ludwell Lee of Loudon County, Va.
Thomas Ludwell Lee, the second son, who bears the name of
both parents, was also prominent in the military movements of
the times ; and was one of the first to lead Virginians against the
invaders of their rights.
We learn from the Hon. Judge Daniel of Virginia, that " Col.
Thomas Ludwell Lee owned a plantation on the Potomac Creek,
called Belle View. His son, who bore his name, removed to
London : one of his daughters married Daniel Carroll Brent of
Richland, Stafford County, and the other. Dr. John Dalrymple
of Prince William County."
The wife of Thomas Ludwell Lee was Miss Aylett, of an
ancient Virginia family.
Richard Henry Lee, the great political leader, was born at Strat-
ford, on the banks of the Potomac, on the 20th of January, 1732,
the year of the birth of Gen. Washington, and scarce a month
before that event.
He completed his academic education in England ; and, at an
early age, returned to Virginia, where he pursued his studies until
the year 1755, when he raised a company of volunteers in aid of
Gen. Braddock ; but his expectations failed, as that gen-
eral refused more troops. At the early age of twenty- ' ' ^^
five, he was appointed a justice for his county, a position
which then was rarely given to one of his years.
Being afterwards sent to the house of burgesses from his
64 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
county, he rapidly rose to distinction, and soon com-
A.D. 175 n;^anded the attention and respect of the house.
to 1794. _ ^ ^
His first great pohtical act was produced in 1764,
being a remonstrance to the king and house of lords against
the tax act, " which," says his grandson and biographer, " contains
the genuine principles of the Revolution, and abounds in the firm
and eloquent sentiments of freemen."
But the greatest and most important act of his political career
was his great motion of loth June, 1776, — " That these United
Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent
States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British
crown ; and that all political connection between them and Great
Britain is, and ought to be, totally absolved."
We can almost hear these stirring and patriotic notes as they
ring upon the ears of his entranced hearers, and can almost see
that tall spare form, " his head," in the language of a kindred
spirit, " leaning persuasively and gracefully forward ; his Roman
profile, which instantly marked him out from lobby or gallery;
his action, polished with such rare skill, that the loss of the fingers
of his left hand failed to attract the attention of the observer; his
flowing eloquence, set off by the modulated tones of a sweet
voice; his classic wit; his devotion to his country; and his calm
and ardent piety, which gilded his pathway almost from the cradle
to the grave, — all of which," as the writer adds, "as they are con-
templated by us with delight at the distance of two generations,
so they will be remembered with grateful admiration for all time
to come."
After serving for many years, both in the congressional and
state councils, and after seeing the establishment of a " permanent
government " as the fruit of his labors, he was forced by failing
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 65
health to resio^n his seat in Cons^ress ; and retiring^ to
. . A.D. 1794.
Chantilly, his seat upon the Potomac, died June 19,
A.D. 1 794, mourned and beloved by a grateful country.
Richard Henry Lee was twice married. His first wife was
Miss Aylett ; his second, Miss Pinkard. He had seven children.
Francis Lightfoot Lee, like his brothers, took an active part in
the political and military events of the time in which he lived.
He married Rebecca Tayloe, a.d. i 769.
William Lee, fifth son of President Lee, married Miss Ludwell,
and resided at Great Tower Hill, London. We subjoin a very
interesting letter from him to the Rev. Dr. H. Lee, warden to
W^inchester College, England, which throws much light upon the
family history.
" Letter from William Lee, Esq., of Virginia, dated Great
Tower Hill, London, 1771, to Rev. Dr. H. Lee, warden of Win-
chester Collesfe, Eno-land."
"Sir, — It gave me much pleasure to find from a conversation
the other day with Mr. Batson, my banker, who speaks very
highly in your praise, that we were of the same family. He tells
me you are the second son of the late Eldred Lancelot Lee of
Coton, in Shropshire, and that your elder brother is now at Aix,
in the south of France, for the recovery of his health. I know
your father corresponded with mine, who was one of the king's
privy council in Virginia, and, when he died, was president and
commander-in-chief over that colony ; and I remember, when a
little boy in Virginia, to have seen and read a very sensible letter,
and well written, from your father to mine, giving an accurate
genealogical account of our family from so old a date as the
Saxon government in this country ; from which people I am sure
9
66 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
he traced the descent of our family. From that account,
A.D. 1794.
it appeared that Cotton, or Coton, was the eldest branch ;
and his immediate predecessor, who went to Virginia about one
hundred and thirty years ago as secretary of the king's privy
council, was a younger brother. I remember one observation he
made, which struck my young mind very forcibly. He says, ' 'Tis
worthy of remark, that, in so long a period, there has been neither
spendthrift nor usurer in the family ; the children moderately
using the patrimony left them, without adding much to the store,
by which means they have always continued independent; and,
not being ambitious, they have kept nearly the same rank in
life through so many centuries as the original stock was in, which
is more than can be said of most families in the kingdom : ' which
remark is surprisingly verified by the family in Virginia, which
has continued, from father to son, to be placed in the highest
offices of honor in the colonies ever since the first Richard Lee,
my great-grandfather, who went there one hundred and thirty
years ago to this very day ; and I believe every inch of property
left them as his (which was considerable) is now in the possession
of his immediate descendants. As your father was a gentleman
of learning and observation, I do not doubt his having left behind
him some historical account of the family, and I shall be particu-
larly obliged to you for any information you can give me about it,
as I am anxious to know all the different branches in this country.
Pray, is not the Earl of Litchfield of our family } for he has the
name, and, I think, bears the arms. Have we any relations in or
near London, as I find there are many of our name } I shall be
glad to hear of your brother's recovery ; and, if he comes to London
on his return, I shall be happy to see him on Great Tower Hill,
where I will hope for the honor of a visit from you when you
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 6/
come to town ; and I shall with much pleasure render
, . , . A.U. 1794
you any services here that are m my power.
" Yours, &c.
"WM. LEE."
We also learn that William Lee was the first to su^Qrest the
steps that led to the armed neutrality of 1780. We insert a
letter on this subject, addressed to his kinsman Thomas Sim
Lee, governor of Maryland, of whom we give an interesting
sketch in our chapter on the Maryland branch of the family.
We introduce this letter, with some remarks from " The National
Intelligencer" of 1859, which will increase its interest: —
" William Lee, the writer of the communication, as we learn
from the gentleman (a lineal descendant of Gov. Lee) to whom we
are indebted for the privilege of laying it before our readers, and
as is also stated by Mr. Sparks in his ' Diplomatic Correspon-
dence of the American Revolution,' was, in July, 1777, appointed
by the Continental Congress a commissioner of the United States
to the courts of Vienna and Berlin. At the commencement of
the Revolution, he had resided several years m London as a mer-
chant, and had acquired so much popularity, that he was chosen
an alderman of that city, which post he held at the breaking-out
of the war. It is a little remarkable, that, durinof the entire
period of Mr. Lee's public agency in the service of the United
States, he was still an alderman of the city of London. He sent
his resignation to the common council ; but they declined accept-
ing it, on account of the alleged difficulty of finding a suitable
successor whose principles agreed with those of the majority.
We have only to add, that William Lee, the writer of the follow-
ing letter, was the brother of Richard Henry Lee, Francis Light-
foot Lee, and Arthur Lee, whose names are more familiarly
68 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
known from their more public connection with our
A.D. 1794.
Revolutionary history; the names of the two former
being found subscribed to the Declaration of Independence.
"Brussels, Dec. 10, 1780.
" Dear Sir, — I embraced the earliest opportunity of congratu-
lating you on the signal honor done, by your country, to your
merit and abilities, by appointing you their governor ; and, though
the period is trying and difficult, I have no doubt of your acquit-
ting yourself in the important station to the advantage of ydur
country and credit of yourself
" You have been frequently advised of the enemy's plan against
North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, which was adopted since
receiving advice of the capture of Charleston ; and, to facilitate
the business, many suspicious characters, natives of those States,
that have been in England, doing no good to us, for some years
past, have been ordered to their respective countries to aid the
enemy's designs, by creating division, confusion, and disturbance
in your councils and operations. Should any such characters
now come among you, especially if they have passed through the
enemy's quarters, you cannot be too attentive to their motions
and conduct. It is said that they have permission from the
British ministry to take the oaths to their respective States, for
reasons obvious. By Leslie's expedition to the Chesapeake, part
of the enemy's grand plan has begun to be executed ; and, if
Leslie succeeds in making any establishment in Virginia or
North Carolina, next spring's campaign will be opened with the
greater part of the British force against Virginia and Maryland,
in which case your country will act with sound wisdom and
policy by affording very powerful assistance to Virginia, which
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 69
will surely prove the most effectual method to prevent
A.D. 1794.
the horrors of war from ragmg in their own country, and
the flames from seizing their own houses. Every State will show
its wisdom in choosing the most able and honest men amonQ-
them, and who have an interest of their own to lose, to repre-
sent them in Congress. The system of general and long-con-
tinued embargoes on the export of grain and provisions ap-
pears to me bad policy, as they naturally tend to produce
scarcity, and, in bad seasons, even a famine, by discouraging agri-
culture. Your operations seem to have been much distracted
by the depreciation of your paper currency : the only solid rem-
edy seems to be in the power of Congress ; and perhaps it has
hitherto been neglected because it is plain and simple. A fund
established in Europe (which might be established by a loan,
until, by the export of your commodities, it might be supported
on easier terms to America), and sacredly appropriated to the sole
use of paying the interest annually of the paper money, would, in
a little time, establish the credit and currency of your paper on as
solid a basis as the bank-notes of England or Holland ; and by
this means, with your paper, you would be enabled to procure
supplies for your army on much better terms than you have done
hitherto. The plan of conducting such a business is so plain, that
I shall only add my sincere wishes it may speedily be adopted.
" The British ministry have certainly promised Gen. Clinton to
send him in the spripg a re-enforcement of ten thousand men,
including the recruits for the German corps now in America.
Perhaps some may flatter you that the enemy will not be able to
procure such a number to send ; but I request you not to deceive
yourselves, and be inattentive to your true interests, by relying
on such rumors, or the foreign aid that may be promised you
70 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
from Europe : no people can be in safety that rely on
another for protection. France is indeed very powerful,
both by sea and land, and will, no doubt, act vigorously against
the common enemy; but so many accidents and untoward
circumstances have intervened to render abortive all the at-
tempts they have hitherto made to assist us, that, in common sense
and prudence, you ought not to trust to aid that is to come from
Europe. If it does come, so much the better, as you may then
finish the war at once ; but place your confidence on yourselves
alone, and then you cannot be essentially hurt.
" The Dutch have at last formally acceded, and so has the King
of Prussia, to the treaty of armed neutrality, as proposed last
spring by the Empress of Russia, and since entered into by
Sweden and Denmark, The object of this great and powerful
league is to support the freedom of general commerce and navi-
gation against the unwarrantable pretensions of Great Britain ;
therefore she must now quietly permit France and Spain to be
supplied with naval stores for the support of their navy, or enter
into a war with this tremendous confederacy. It is, however,
impossible for her to resist, which must finally give the superi-
ority to France and Spain. I feel no little pleasure in communi-
cating to you the completion, so far, of this confederacy, as the first
traces were laid by myself, two years ago ; and, if Congress had
now in Europe ministers properly authorized to negotiate with
those powers, it would not be difficult to obtain a general
acknowledgment from them of the independence of America,
which was my ultimate object in forming the outlines of this
scheme.
" The public news in England you will see in all the papers
that go by this conveyance ; so that I have only to recommend
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 7 1
to you, in the most pressing manner, a vigorous exertion,
unanimity, and confidence in yourselves, which may, in
all probability, end the war this year in your favor.
" We humbly present our respectful compliments to your
worthy lady, and beg you to believe me to be, at all times,
dear sir, your affectionate relation, and most obedient, humble
servant,
"WILLIAM LEE."
The Armed Neutrality of i 780. — " It is known to every
student of history and of public law, that the usages and practices
of belligerent nations, from the earliest times, subjected enemy's
goods, in neutral vessels, to capture and condemnation as lawful
prize of war. This prevalent regulation was, however, in many
cases, suspended by treaty stipulations, forming a temporary con-
ventional law between the parties to such compacts. It became,
for instance, at an early period, an object of interest to Holland,
as a great commercial country whose permanent policy was
pacific, to obtain a relaxation of the severe rules which had been
previously recognized in maritime warfare. The principle that
the character of the vessel should determine that of the cargo was
also adopted by the celebrated Treaty of Utrecht, in 171 3, subse-
quently confirmed by the Treaties of 1721 and 1739, between
Great Britain and Spain, and by the Treaties of Aix-la-Chapelle in
1748, and of Paris in 1763, between Great Britain, Spain, and
France.
" Such, says Wheaton, was the fluctuating state of consuetudi-
nary and conventional law prevailing among the principal mari-
time powers of Europe, when the Declaration of Independence
by the British North-American Colonies gave rise to a maritime
72 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
war between Great Britain and France. With a view
A.D. 1794. . .
to conciliate those powers which remained neutral
in this war, the cabinet of Versailles issued, on the 26th of
July, 1778, an ordinance or instruction to French cruisers, pro-
hibiting the capture of neutral vessels, even when bound to or
from the enemy's ports, unless laden, in whole or in part, with
contraband articles, designed for the enemy's use, the French
government reserving, however, the right to revoke this conces-
sion, unless the enemy should adopt a reciprocal measure v/ithin
six months.
" The British Government, far from adopting any such measure,
issued, in March, 1780, an order in council suspending the special
stipulations respecting neutral commerce and navigation con-
tained in the treaty of alliance of 1674, between Great Britain and
Holland. And it was immediately after the promulgation of this
edict that the Empress Catharine of Russia communicated to the
belligerent and neutral powers of Europe the famous declaration
of neutrality, the principles of which were speedily acceded to by
France, Spain, and the United States of America, as belligerent
parties, and by Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, Holland, the Emperor
of Germany, Portugal, and Naples, as neutral powers.
" By this declaration (which, as Wheaton adds, afterwards be-
came the basis of the armed neutrality of the Baltic powers), the
rule that free ships make free goods was adopted without the
previously-associated maxim that ' enemy ships should make
enemy goods.' The British Government answered this formidable
declaration by appealing to ' the principles generally acknowl-
edged as the law of nations ; ' but circumstances compelled it to
suppress, for a time, the resentment naturally felt towards the
parties to a measure which so greatly crippled British supremacy
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 73
on the seas, and aided the insurgent colonies in their
A.D. 1794.
struggle for independence.
" In 'The Intelligencer' of Saturday last, we gave an interesting
extract from a recent oration of George Sumner, Esq., of Boston,
in which the authorship of this famous declaration is referred to
Florida Blanca, the Spanish minister for foreign affairs" at. that
date. To this effect Mr. Sumner remarks as follows: —
" ' One of our wisest statesmen, John Adams, has said, " We
owe the blessings of peace, not to the causes assigned, but to the
armed neutrality." And who was the real author of the armed
neutrality.? Who conceived that act.? and who, by his ingenuity
and indefatigable perseverance, led Russia, and, with her, the
northern powers, to adopt it ? Florida Blanca, the minister of
Spain ; and to him and to his country I here render the honor,
with all the more pleasure that this has not usually been done,
and that the documents which establish their claim to it are in my
possession. For such aid as the armed neutrality gave us, again
we have to thank Spain.'
" A friend, whose attention was called to the historical memo-
randa cited by Mr. Sumner, has obligingly communicated to us
the subjoined letter, in which it will be seen that the writer, un-
known to common fame, though not without honorable historic
traditions connected with his name, claims to have been the first
to suggest the steps which led to this important measure. The
letter, which was written in December, 1780, and therefore con-
temporaneously with the promulgation of the armed neutrality,
is from the pen of William Lee, a native of Virginia; and is
addressed to his kinsman, Thomas Sim Lee, at that time, and
from 1779 to 1783, the governor of Maryland."
74 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
The sixth son of President Lee was Dr. Arthur
Lee of London (who is supposed to have brought the
ancient genealogical document to this country), whose valuable
services to his country in negotiating with the European powers
was justly appreciated by his native State, which presented him
with forty thousand acres of land. In this connection, we offer a
most interesting extract from a letter from Baron Neslerode to
Dr. Arthur Lee, dated Antwerp, Dec. 20, 1782, enclosed in a
letter to his kinsman, Governor Thomas Sim Lee of Maryland.
Extract of a letter from Baron Neslerode to Dr. A. Lee, dated
Antwerp, Dec. 20, 1782.
" The Empress of Russia, instead of furnishing the assistance to
the Dutch which she was bound to do by the treaty of armed
neutrality, has been amusing them with an offer of her mediation
for a particular peace with Great Britain. This mediation the
British ministry at first haughtily rejected, but have lately ac-
cepted it in very flattering terms to the empress, on condition,
however, that the Dutch submit to their terms.
" The late prime minister, Count Parrin, declared in council
that he had been offered one hundred thousand potmds sterling by
the British ministry, which he had rejected with disdain ; and he
hoped that all her Majesty's ministers would act in the same
manner: but finding himself mistaken, and that the British em-
issaries had got possession of the empress's ear, he resigned. This
resignation had occasioned such a ferment among the nobles and
grandees, that, if the empress were to take an open part with
England, she might possibly pay for her folly with her life. 'Tis
certain she apprehends something, since she has sent her son,
the grand duke and his wife, on their travels to Vienna and Italy,
— an honorable banishment for three years, they being enemies to
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 75
Ens^land. The Prince of Orange is sold to the English
... A.D. 1794.
by the Duke of Brunswick, his director. The Orange
faction, finding that the popular party is gaining ground every
day, insist upon an immediate treaty with France ; for a joint
prosecution of the w^ar, and a treaty of commerce with America,
have, in combination with the British ministry, pushed the busi-
ness of the Russian mediation, to amuse the public with the idea
of peace, that no preparation may be made during the winter for
the ensuing campaign, and to prevent the proposed treaties \vith
France and America.
" The emperor has turned his back on the English, and, taking
advantage of the present times, is demolishing all the fortifications
of the barrier towns in this country where the Dutch kept garri-
sons ; and it seems that the states-general have agreed to with-
draw their troops. We do not know that the system of France
will be altered by the death of Count Maurepas ; but of this we
shall be better able to judge when his successor is appointed."
Sent, with Mr. A. Lee's compliments, to Governor Lee of
Maryland.
FRED. A. LEE.
After making the tour of Europe in the service of his country,
he returned to Virginia, where he continued in public life up to
the time of his death, which took place Dec. 12, 1792, at his
residence in Rappahannock County, Va. For his literary and
scientific attainments, he was emment in both countries ; and
many of his valuable productions are still preserved.
76 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
The Ludwell Family was of German descent. Through
their mother, PhiHp and John Ludwell were descendants
of the famous Lord Cottington, of whom we have a full account in
Clarendon s " History of the Rebellion." Philip Ludwell went to
America in 1694, as governor of Carolina, fi'om whence he went to
Virginia, and married the widow of Sir William Berkeley. Their
only daughter married Col. Parke ; and their son Philip married
Miss Harrison, and had two daughters. Lucy, the eldest, married
Col. Grymes, and Hannah married Thomas Lee. ' This Philip
Ludwell was, as his father, of the council of Virginia.
The following epitaph of Thomas Ludwell, uncle of the above
Philip, is still seen in the old Williamsburg graveyard : —
"Under this marble lyeth the body of Thomas Ludwell, Esq"", Secretary of
V^ and who was born at Bruton, in the County of Somerset, in the Kingdom
of England, and departed this life in the year 1678 ; and near this lye the bodies of
Rich'i Kemp, Esq"", his predecessor in the secretary's office ; and Sir Thomas
Lunsford, knight. In memory of whom this marble is placed by order of Philip
Ludwell, Esq""., nephew of said Thomas Ludwell, in the year 1727."
Henry Lee, fifth son of Richard Lee, whose issue
A.D. 1671. ^
forms the fourth branch handed down to us, was born in
Virginia, and, like his brothers, was a member in the early coun-
cils of the colony. He married a Miss Bland, of whose family
Mr. Campbell thus speaks : —
" The Blands of Virginia derive their name from Bland, a place
in Westmoreland or Cumberland, England. William de Bland
flourished in the reign of Edward 111., and did good service in
the wars which that king carried on in France, in company with
John of Gaunt, Earl of Richmond. Thomas de Bland obtained a
pardon of Richard the Second, for the death of a person slain in
OF THE LEE FAMILY. *]*]
a duel, by the interposition of his friend, the Duke of
A.D. 1671.
Guyenne and Lancaster. Edmund Bland, a merchant
in Spain (1643), removed to Virginia, and settled at Kimages, in
Charles-city County. Theodoric Bland left three sons, of whom
the second was born at Berkeley (1665). His second wife, Eliza-
beth, daughter of Col. William Randolph of Turkey Island ; and
their eldest son was Richard, afterwards a member of the old
Congress, and whose seat was called ' Jordon's Point.' " *
This Richard was the father of the Miss Bland here referred
to: —
" Theodoric Bland, the father of Richard, settled at Westover,
upon James River, Charles-city County, 1654, and died 23d April,
1 67 1, aged forty-one years, and was buried in the chancel of the
church, which he built and gave, together with ten acres of land,
a court-house, and prison, for the county and parish. He lies
buried in the Westover Churchyard, between two of his friends ;
the church having long since fallen down. He was of the king's
council, and speaker of the house of burgesses, and was, in fortune
and understanding, inferior to no man of his time in the country.
He married Ann, daughter of Richard Burnet, sometime governor
of the colony." t
By the marriage of Henry Lee and Miss Bland, there were
three children, — two sons and a daughter. Richard Lee of Lee
Hall, the eldest, married a Miss Poythress of Prince George,
whose family we have not obtained.
Henry Lee, second son, married a Miss Grymes, whose family
we will notice more fully ; and the only daughter married a Fitz-
hugh.
* See Mr. Charles CampbeH's " History of Virginia," p. i6i.
t See Bland Papers, vol. i. p. 14S.
78 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Henry Lee of Stafford, and Lucy Grymes, were mar-
A D ly^o
ried at Green-Spring, on Saturday, ist December, 1753,
by the Rev. William Preston of James City.
Henry Lee was a member of the house of burgesses, and took
an active part in all the exciting events of his time.
" Lucy Grymes, wKo married Henry Lee, is reported to be a
descendant of Major John Grymes, whose father was Gen. Thomas
Grymes, under Cromwell. His epitaph is as follows : —
" ' Here lies interred the body of
The Hon. John Grymes, Esq'', who for
many years acted in the public
affairs of this Dominion with
honor, fortitude, fidelity to their
Majesty's King George I. and H.
Of the Council of State, of the
Royal Perogative, of the liberty
and property of the subject, a
Zealous asserter. On the seat
of Judgment clear, sound, unbiassed.
In the office of Receiver General punctual
approved. Of the College of William & Mar)'
an ornament, visitor, patron.
Beneficent to all, a pattern of true
piety. Respected, loved, revered.
Lamented by his family, acquaintance.
Country. He departed this life the
2"^ day of November, 1748, in the
57*'^ year of his age.'"
Green-Spring, which is frequently mentioned in connection
with the Lees, was the residence of Sir William Berkeley, which
was granted to him in 1669. It was afterwards the temporary
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 79
residence of President Lee durins^ his administration of
, A.D. 1750.
the colony. In 1676, Green-Spring was plundered by
Bacon and his followers, during the rebellion. Of this the gov-
ernor complained much, that " his dwelling-house at Green-Spring
was almost ruined, his household goods, and others of great
value, totally plundered ; that he had not a bed to lye on ; two
great beasts, three hundred sheep, seventy horses and mares, all
his corn and provisions, taken away."
The Assembly of Virginia was held at Green-Spring in 1677.
An interesting description is given of the old mansion in " The
Virginia Historical Register."
Henry Lee left a large family, — six sons and five daughters.
First, Col. Henry Lee (Light-Horse Harry), who married twice.
Charles Lee, the second son, first married a daughter of Richard
H. Lee. His second wife was Margaret, widow of Yelverton
Peyton, and youngest daughter of the Rev. John Scott.
John died early. The remaining sons, Richard, Theodoric,
and Edmund G., married ; and their families are now represented
throughout the State.
Of the five daughters, two died young. Mary married a Fen-
dall ; and Nancy married William B. Page, of whose family we
gather the following: —
" William Byrd Page was the grandson of John Page of
London, supposed to have been knighted for proposing a regula-
tion on the tobacco-trade and duty thereon. (See Auto, of Gov.
Page.) Roswell on the York, the former seat of the Pages, is still
standing, a monument of colossal grandeur, and fully justifies the
immense wealth of its owner, whose landed estate was computed
at nearly thirty thousand acres, scattered throughout Virginia.
The family is still represented throughout the country, many
of whom have been distinguished in public affairs."
So GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Gen. Henry Lee, first son of Henry Lee of Stafford,
■ g'g was born at Leesylvania, Prince William County, Va.,
Jan. 29, 1756. Much connected with this celebrated
chieftain is to be found in the history of the country, the most
important parts of which we give.
Gen. Henry Lee was educated in this country. At an early
age, he was intrusted with the management of the family estate,
which was extensive, and which trust he most ably fulfilled. In
1776, he was appointed captain of a cavalry company, with which,
under the command of Col. Bland, he joined the provincial army,
under Washington. By a strict system of discipline, and great
care of his men and horses, he gained distinction, and attracted
the notice of his commanding officers. In 1778, congress pro-
moted him to the rank of major, for gallant conduct; and, with a
fine corps of cavalry and infantry, his command soon became
celebrated, and was known as the famous '• Lee's Legion," which
formed the rear-guard to Gen. Greene's army in his retreat to
Virginia before Cornwallis. After participating in many of the
principal actions in North and South Carolina and Georgia, Col.
Lee, after the surrender of Cornwallis, was appointed, in the fall
of 1786, a delegate to congress from Virg^inia, in which
A.D. 1786. / * . "^ . .
station he remained until the permanent Constitution of
the United States was established, after which he was a member
of the Virginia convention of 1788, which ratified the
Constitution, in aid of which he was a zealous advocate.
He was afterwards a delesrate for his native State.
o
In 1792, retiring from the assembly, he was raised to
the gubernatorial chair, which he filled with great dis-
tinction for three successive years.
During the rebellion in Western Pennsylvania, Gen. Washing-
A.D.
mf^yi^^^.
RICHARDSON AND COMPAN^
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 8 1
ton appointed Gov. Lee to the command of the forces
A.D. 1799.
to put down that disturbance, which he most effectually
did. In 1799, he was again chosen a member to congress, and,
while there, pronounced his great eulogy upon Washington.
Upon the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the presidency, he
retired to private life, in which he remained to his death. During
the latter part of his life, he prepared his excellent memoirs of
the " Southern Campaigns," a work which, a distinguished writer
says, " If not remarkable for great polish of style, is entitled, from
its bold, manly, and sincere tone, as well as the power of the de-
scriptions, and the interest of the information, to rank with the
best works relating to the Revolutionary War."
In 1 8 14, Gen. Lee received such serious injuries,
A.D. 1S14.
during a Baltimore riot which he was attempting to
quell, that his health rapidly declined. He sought the mild
climate of the West Indies, hoping to allay the disease ; but,
while on his way home to the United States, he died on Cumber-
land Island, near St. Mary's, Ga., March 25, 181 8.
Gen. Lee married twice, — first, Matilda, daughter of Philip
Ludwell, of whose family we have already given a sketch. By
this wife he had two children, — Henry Lee, who was major in
the war of 181 2, and a daughter Lucy. The second wife of Gen.
Lee was Ann, daughter of Charles Carter, Esq., and sister of the
celebrated Robert Carter of Crotoman, alias " King Carter," an
interesting account of whom is to be found in Mr. Charles Camp-
bell's work, from which we take the following : —
" Robert Carter (sometimes called Robin) married, first, Judith
Armstead, and, secondly, Betty, a descendant of the noble family
of Landons, by whom he left many children. His portrait, and
that of one of his wives, are still preserved at ' Shirley,' on James
82 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
River, the seat of Hill Carter, Esq. The arms of the Carters
bear cart-wheels vert ; John Carter, first of the family, and one
of the council, is mentioned in Henning's " Statutes at Large ; "
also Edward Carter, burgess, and member of the council. Rob-
ert Carter, owing to his ample extent of territory in the northern
neck of Virginia, which is reported to have been three hundred
thousand acres of land, and one thousand slaves, acquired the
soubriquet of ' King Carter.' He died, and was buried at his
residence, Aug. 4, 1732, aged 69."
Speaking of Robert Carter, Grigsby, in his eloquent report on
the Virginia Assembly of 1776, says, —
" The ' king,' as a boy of fourteen, had known Sir William
Berkeley, had played on the lawn of Green-Spring, and might
have seen the aged cavalier, when, in search of health, he em-
barked for England, to revisit his rural home no more."
The children of the second wife of Gen. Henry Lee
A.D. 1818. ■'
are three sons and two daughters ; namely, Charles
Carter Lee, Esq., of Powhattan, Va., Sydney Smith Lee, who was
a commodore in the United-States navy in i860, and Gen.
Robert Edward Lee, now president of Washington College,
Lexington, Va. The two daughters were Anne Lee and Mil-
dred Lee.
iii^
^
LEE.
[I]
" This Pedigree & y Deeds were Extracted
" by Us, Charles Townley, York ;
John Pomfret, Rouge Croix.
August r' 1750."
[2]
Hugo de Lega 1
de le in charta
valde antiqua
sine data.
[3I
Reginaldus de la Le
cui Willus filius Willi
filii Alani ad peticcem
Fulconis filii Warini
concefsit terras.
[4]
Joties de Lee, Miles cui :=:
Hugo de Hinton dedit |
terras per chartam I
sine data: vixit A". 26: E: i.i
pater Thomae de la Lee 1
A». 30. E: I. I
[5]
Thomas de la Lee Miles,
concefsit Reginaldo de
la Lee filio suo jmogenito
Villam de Lee subtiis
Pebenhull.
— Petronilla filia
I Thoraae Corbet,
' Militis.
[6]
[7]
Reginaldus de la Lee =
cui pater ejus dedit
villam de Lee ; supstes
A°. 14 : E. 2.
Alicia, uxor
ejus vixit
A°. 13. E. 2.
Thomas de la Lee,
filius junior.
Jones de la Lee Miles
filius Reginald!, Dnus
de Roden, A". 15 E : 2.
et A". 1 E. 3.
— Matilda, filia
Henrici de Erdington.
Jones de la Lee Miles,
fihus Johis de la Lee
Militis. A". 32. E. 3. et
33 : E. 3.
Matilda de la Lee
I E: 3-
[8]
Robertus de la lee
filius Johis de la Lee
Dni de Roden, A".
S. R : 2.
Margareta filia et haeres
Thomae Astley de Nordley.
[10]
1^
Rogerus de la Lee
filius et haeres, primus
Dnus de Langley.
Johanna, filia et haeres
Edvardi Bumell.
[II]
Robertus de Lee,
de Langley in Coin. Salop.
Petronilla, uxor ejus ut apparet
p : chartam dat : A° 1 1 : H. 4,
et aliam 17 ; H. 6. et aliam A». 20. Hen. 6.
[12]
[13]
Radulphus de Lee,
Superstes 25 H. 6. et 18
E. 4. Obijt A", ig E. 4.
1^
Ricardus Lee de
Langley in Coin. Salop A". 20
E.4.
Isabella, filia Jacobi Ridley;
fuit vidua A". 20. E. 4.
Margeria, filia et cohaeres
Fulconis Sprenchofs, Militis.
Radulphus.
Ricardus Lee
of Langley in
Coin. Salop : fil :
2du3 vixit A". I
H. 7.
Elizabetha filia et haeres ;
nupta Thomas Kinaston
de Cotton.
|5
I
P
— filia.
Johannes.
Margeria,
Johanna,
Alicia filia =
uxor Francisci
uxor
Ric* Cornwall,
Macocks.
Lbgen Armig".
Thomas
Vernon.
de Berrington in
Com. Hereford
Mihtis. uxor i™"'
[15]
Thomas Lee de
Langley in Com.
Salop : A''.
Jana, filia Rob"
Corbet, de Morton,
Militis.
IjO:
Johannes Lee
filius junior Robert!
de la Lee.
Jocofa, filb
— Packington.
[9]
Johes Lee de Nordley
in Coin. Salop.
Elizabetha, filia et
haeres, Th" Corbyne.
[17]
Thomas Lee de
Nordley in Coin. Salop.
Johanna, filia Ro""' Morton
de Houghton, in Com. Salop.
[iS]
fil: & haeres,
- Hoke.
Fulco Lee =
de
Langley in
Com. Salop :
filius et
haeres.
[14]
Elizabetha, filia
Johis Leighton
Arm. uxor 2<'».
Margareta, uxor
Reginald! Williams.
Humfi-idus Lee
de Cotton in
Coin. Salop.
[19]
Katherina, filia
Johannes Blount
de Yro.
Anna nupta
Johi Klnge.
iLiCECcn:
lib:
T
Jocofa, Dorothea,
Richardus .
uxor Rob", uxor Ritf
Lee, de
Morton de Purfell.
Langley in
Houghton
Com Salop.
juxta Shipnall.
A--:
I an a,
[i6]
|4 |5 [6 2| 3| 7|
= Elianora, lana, Maria, Margareta, Katherina, Jeronimus, Thomas, Sufanna.
filia Walteri uxor uxor uxor Hugonis uxor Edvardi
Wrotesley de Edri Edri Boftock de Corbet de
Wrotesley in Moore. Plowden Morton, Say. Longnor.
Com. Staff: de
Plowden in
Com: Salop.
VValterus Jana, Humfridus
Lee,
2 Alius,
Margareta,
Dorothea,
13
lohanna.
1^
Maria,
|5 J3 6|. 4|
Elizabetha, Franciscus Katherina, Edvardus
Lee
4 filius.
uxor
Lee, de
filia Reginald!
uxor Thomae uxor
uxor
uxor
Lee
uxor Johis
Rici
Langley in
Corbet A7:
Mackworth Ric' Powell
Henrici
Michis
3 filius.
Heyward.
enkin.
Com. Salop:
renins Justic:
de Helton, de Ednop.
Vannor
Lister.
Baronettus.
Banco Regis.
Strange in
de
A". 1623.
CoS Salop, A~.
Condover.
Richardus Lee,
filius et haeres
apparens,
of Langley &
Acton Burnell
Salop.
Elizabeth dau
Sir Edward Allen
Knt. of London,
died 1660.
Margareta uxor
Francifci Kinaston
de Oteley in Com
Salop. Milltis.
Maria,
3|
Cecilia,
4
ALcia.
Rachel,
coheir of
Lea Hall.
Ralph Cleaton Esq'.
2°* Son Ralph Cleaton
of Oneley Shrop''''"
Another daughter.
LSLa:
Ls:
Francifcus
Lee.
Johannes Lee
de Cotton, in
Kings Nordley in
Coin. Salop.
locofa filia Johis
Romney de Coin Wigoofi
5. filiam Johis Brington
de Stoke.
1:30]
[21]
Gilbertus, 2.
Jasperus, 3.
Richardus, 4.
Edvardus, 5.
1^
Thomas Lee
of Cotton in
Kings Nordley in
the parish of
Aberley, in Co. Salop
Son & heir.
[22]
Dorothy, dau'. unto
Rich-i. Oteleyof
Pitchford in Com
Salop: Esqr.
Ferdinando, 6.
Josias, 7.
Willimus s. p. 8.
John Katherine, Jane, = Launcelot Lee
Lee 4 Da^ married Da"', of [ of Cotton, Esq"'.
Citizen unto Rogi
of London. Dade.
Thomas
Clemfon
of
BerringtOD
in Co. Staff.
(i" Wife.)
was aged 70 yrs.
or thereabouts,
A°. 1663.
- Elizabeth, Eleanor, Joyce, Mary, Jane 3'' da',
da', of Eldest da', wife of Rich*. 5"" D=". Anne 6'^ da'.
Henry Gough wife of Searle. Martha y'^ da',
of Wolverhampton Thomas
in Com. Staff: Nicholls.
(2" wife.)
I
j, 3 [33]
4
5
6
|.
I2
John
Thomas = Dorothy Richard =
= Elizabeth
Launcelot
Thomas
Humphry
Dorothy
Elizabeth Anne 3''.
Lee,
Lee2i
da', of Lee of
dau'. of
Lee, 4 Son
Lee, s"" Son
Lee, 6"' Son
Eldest da'.
2d da'. Jane 4"'.
EId«.
an utter
John Eldred the
Walter
Citizen
Citizen
of Cliffords
wife of
wife of
Son
Barrist: of
a Barrister pish of
Langdon
Fishraong'
Draper of
Inne A".
William
Rich'J.
dyed
Lincolns
of Lincolns SaintOlaves
of
of London
London
1663.
Bendy
Baugh
unmar''.
Inne
^£43- 1663.
Inne. in the
Borough of
Southw'k
3d Son
A". 1663.
in Cornwall.
A". 1663.
A". 1663.
ir
of Kings
Swinford
Com. Staff
of Alison
in Co.
Salop.
I_,[K
I_i[K[K[K
[24]
D'. John Lee.
Letitia Corbin.
|3
Francis
Williaii
Lee.
|5
Hancock
Charles.
2 Daugh ters,
1 Betsy Lee.
2 Ann Lee.
J_j 1 H I H LhL
La:
Eldred Launcelot Lee
set: 12: Anno 1663.
31
John
Dorothy.
Martha Lee
married Turbi-
-viUe.
— Wormley
(!»' wife)
George Lee
r- Fairfax
(ana wife)
Daughter
3 Sons.
[26]
Philip LudNvell =
= — Steptoe.
Thomas =
= — Aylett. — Pinkard =
Lee. 1=' Son.
Ludwell
Lee.
a"-! wife.
I
2
Matilda
Flora
Son.
2 daughters.
wife of
wife
Gen. Henry Lee
of
of Rev.
Ludwell Lee
af Loudoun Co.
Henry
Lee.
• Turbiville = Hanna
Lee.
Sally = Edmund Lee
Lee. of Alexandria, V«
Rev-i W" F. Lee.
■ Aylett.
i" wife.
|4
|5
Francis
William
Lightfoot
Lee,
Lee,
marr^
mard
— Ludwell
ebecca Tayloe
1769.
I
Thomas
Lee.
Eleanor
Lee.
'2
Ludwell
Lee of
Loudoun Co. V".
Girard Alexander.
Mary Lee,
wife of
\V. A. Washington.
Hanna Lee,
wife of
Corbin Wash-
ington.
1
Ann Lee
Gen. Walter Jones.
— Catherine, missionary to China.
LaiaiiH:
[25]
[27]
6
Arthur
Lee
of
London.
— Silk, PhUip
heiress of Lee.
London.
Francis
Lee
died un-
married.
1^
Thomas
Hanna
dau' of
— Ludwell
of England.
Hanna,
wife of
Gawin Corbin.
2"* Daughter.
[28]
1'
Henry Lee
S"" Son.
Richard Lee =
:; — Poythress
Henry Lee =
= Lucy Grymes
Daughter = -
of Lee Hall.
of Prince George,
Va..
of
Staiford, V\
[29]
Fitzhugh.
Henry Lee =
Col. Rev.
bom
Jan 29, 1756.
Ann =
daughter
Chas. Carter
2"'' wife.
Matilda,
3
John
|4
Richard
dau"-
Lee
Lee.
Bland
Lee.
of
IM'i
Lee.
Philip L.
Margaret
Lee.
Peyton.
i" wife.
6
5 Dau".
Edmund
Mary Lee 2' Da'
L Lee.
Lucy Lee 4''' „
Nancy Lee 5"> „
Letitia Lee i" Da'
Fanny Lee 3' Da'.
Henry Lee
Major 1813.
Lucy Lee
L33333
a: a:
[30]
Charles Carter Sydney Smith
Lee, of Lee,
Powhattan, V". Com. i860.
i866.
General Robert Edward Lee, __ Mary Custis, daughter
born Jan. ig"", 1807,
married 30"" June, 1831.
George Washington Parke Custis,
born October 1=', 1806.
I
I
2 2
3
|3
4
G. W. Custis
Mary Custis
Wm. Henry Fitzhugh Annie Carter
Eleanor Agnes
Robert Edward
Mildred Childe
Lee,
Lee,
Lee, Lee,
Lee,
Lee,
Lee,
i" daughter.
2^ son. 2-1 daughter.
3'' daughter.
3'' son.
4"> daughter.
born le"" Sept.,
1832.
died Oct 2o't, 1862.
^^/^^^-t^ 0^^^^
{Uy2/lyiyvO
.A^ I
GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE.
Robert Edward Lee was bom at Stratford, Westmoreland
County, Va., on the 19th of January, a.d. 1807, in the same room
in which two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence
were born ; namely, Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot
Lee. He was the fifth child of Henry Lee, the celebrated " Light-
Horse Harry " of the Revolution, and bears the name of his
maternal uncles, Robert and Edward Carter of " Shirley," the
family residence of the Carters. Robert Carter, full brother of
Mrs. Lee, was named for " Old King Carter," familiarly called
" Robin," and was the father of the present Hill Carter of Shirley :
Edward Carter, half-brother of Mrs. Lee, was the father of Shirley
and John Hill Carter.
Robert E. Lee was admitted to the West-Point Military
Academy, a.d. 1825, at the age of eighteen, and graduated with
the first honor in 1829, receiving an appointment of second lieu-
tenant of engineers. On the 30th June, 1831, Lieut. Lee mar-
ried Mary Custis, daughter of George Washington Parke Custis,
adopted son, and step-grandson, of George Washington.
In 1835, he was appointed assistant astronomer of the com-
mission for determining the boundary lines between Ohio and
Michigan. He was promoted first lieutenant in 1836, and
93
94 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
captain in 1838. In 1846, Capt. Lee was appointed chief-en-
gineer, on the staff of Gen. Wool, in Mexico ; and the next year
was brevetted major for gallantry at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
April 18, 1847; ^^^ soon after became lieutenant-colonel, by
brevet, on account of his services at Contreras and Cherubusco,
Aug. 20, 1847.
Col. Lee was wounded at the battle of Chapultepec, and was
brevetted colonel for his conduct in that battle. Upon the return
of peace, he was appointed superintendent of the military academy
at West Point, which position he held from 1852 to 1855.
In 1858, he again engaged in active service, as a cavalry
officer, under Col. Albert Sydney Johnston, and distinguished
himself during the troubles with the Indians in Texas.
All are familiar with Col. Lee's last active service for the
United States, when, at the head of a corps of marines, he was
sent from Washington to suppress the "John Brown raid," at
Harper's Ferry, Va., at the close of the year 1859.
Col. Lee took no part in the political dissensions that agitated
the country for the next two years : he adhered conscientiously to
the United-States o^overnment and flas^, until the secession of his
native State. With her fortunes he felt bound to identify himself,
and in April, 1861, resigned his position in the United-States
army, and entered the service of the late Confederate States.
It is unnecessary for us to refer to the Christian fidelity, hu-
manity, and military skill, the uniform and distinguished gallantry,
with which Gen. Lee performed his duties, from the first hour of
conflict, in 1861, to the close of hostilities, in 1865. We simply
give the facts and dates as addenda to this genealogy. The histo-
rian of future ages will do justice to the details of the life and
character of the noble soldier.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. 95
Since the close of the war, Gen. Lee has occupied the position
of President of Washington College, Rockbridge County, Va., an
ancient institution, which is fast rising to renewed life and useful-
ness under his able supervision.
The following letters will be read with interest : —
Letters from Gen. Lee. — These letters were written soon
after the outbreak of the Rebellion : —
Arlington, Va., April 20, 1S61.
General, — Since my interview with you on the i8th inst,
I have felt that I ought not longer to retain my commission in
the army. I therefore tender my resignation, w^hich I request
you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been pre-
sented at once, but for the struggle it has cost me to separate
myself from a service to which I have devoted all the best years
of my life, and all the ability I possessed.
During the whole of that time, more than a quarter of a
century, I have experienced nothing but kindness from my superi-
ors, and the most cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one,
general, have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform
kindness and consideration; and it has always been my ardent
desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry to the grave the
most grateful recollections of your kind consideration ; and your
name and fame will always be dear to me.
Save in defence of my native State, I never desire again to
draw my sword. Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes
for the continuance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe
me most truly yours,
r. e. lee.
Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott, commanding United-States Army.
96 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
A copy of the preceding letter was enclosed in the following
letter to a sister of the general, Mrs. A. M.: —
Arlington, Va., April 20, 1861.
My dear Sister, — I am grieved at my inability to see you.
... I have been waiting " for a more convenient season," which
has brought to many before me deep and lasting regret. Now
we are in a state of war, which will yield to nothing. The whole
South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long
struggle, has been drawn ; and though I recognize no necessity
for this state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to
the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet, in my own
person, I had to meet the question, whether I should take part
against my native State.
With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty
and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make
up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children,
my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the
army; and save in defence of my native State, with the sincere
hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may
never be called on to draw my sword.
I know you will blame me ; but you must think as kindly of
me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what
I thought right. To show you the feeling and struggle it has
cost me, I send a copy of my letter to Gen. Scott, which accom-
panied my letter of resignation. I have no time for more. . . .
May God guard and protect you and yours, and shower upon you
everlasting blessings, is the prayer of your devoted brother,
R. E. LEE.
OF THE LEE FAMILY
97
Private Letter of Gen. Lee. — The orimnal of the followinor
letter was found at Arlington House by a Federal soldier : —
Arlington House, April 5, 1S53.
INIy dear Son, — I am just in the act of leaving home for
New Mexico. My fine old regiment has been ordered to that
distant region, and I must hasten on to see that they are properly
cared for. I have but little to add in reply to your letters of
March 26, 27, and 28. Your letters breathe a true spirit of frank-
ness : they have given myself and your mother great pleasure.
You must study to be frank with the world : frankness is the
child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on
every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right. If
a friend asks a favor, you should grant it, if it is reasonable ; if not,
tell him plainly why you cannot : you will wrong him and wrong
yourself by equivocation of any kind. Never do a wrong thing
to make a friend or keep one : the man who requires you to do
so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly,
with all your classmates : you will find it the policy which wears
best. Above all, do not appear to others what you are not. If
you have any fault to find with any one, tell him, not others, of
what you complain : there is no more dangerous experiment than
that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face, and
another behind his back. We should live, act, and say nothing
to the injury of any one. It is not only best as a matter of prin-
ciple, but it is the path to peace and honor.
In regard to duty, let me, in conclusion of this hasty letter,
inform you, that, nearly a hundred years ago, there was a day of
remarkable gloom and darkness, still known as the dark day, —
a day when the light of the sun was slowly extinguished, as if by
98 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LEE FAMILY.
an eclipse. The legislature of Connecticut was in session ; and, as
its members saw the unexpected and unaccountable darkness
coming on, they shared in the general awe and terror. It was
supposed by many that the last day, the day of judgment, had
come. Some one, in the consternation of the hour, moved an
adjournment. Then there arose an old Puritan legislator, Daven-
port of Stamford, and said, that, if the last day had come, he
desired to be found at his place, doing his duty; and therefore
moved that candles be brought in, so that the house could pro-
ceed with its duty. There was quietness in that man's mind, — the
quietness of heavenly wisdom, and inflexible willingness to obey
present duty. Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language.
Do your duty in all things, like the old Puritan. You cannot
do more, you should never wish to do less. Never let me or
your mother wear one gray hair for any lack of duty on your part.
Your affectionate father,
R. E. LEE.
George Washington Custis Lee.
/
/i^
MRS. MARY CUSTIS LEE.
Mrs. Mary Custis Lee, wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee, was born
at Arlington, Va., on the ist of October, a.d. 1808. We will
give a short sketch of the distinguished ancestry of this lady,
whose portraits once adorned the walls of the family mansion at
Arlington.
Daniel Parke, Secretary of the Colony of Virginia, died
A.D. 1679, and was buried at the "Old Bruton Church," at
Williamsburg, Va. He left one son, who was born in York
County, Va.
This son, Col. Daniel Parke, received from Queen Anne the
appointment of Governor of Antigua, in the Leeward Islands ;
and, as a special mark of her regard, she presented him with
her miniature, encircled with diamonds, as a testimonial to his
gallantry at the battle of Blenheim. He bore from the Duke of
Marlborough the despatch announcing to the queen the victory
over the allied forces. A portrait of Col. Parke, in royal dress,
painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, a protege of the Duke of Marl-
borough, is among the most conspicuous and interesting of the
Arlington paintings. A portrait of Frances Parke, who married
the Hon. John Custis, and that of her husband, are al^ in this
TOO
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
collection. These were the parents of Daniel Parke Custis, who
was born Oct. 15, 1711, and who married Martha Dandridge,
afterwards the wife of Gen. Washino^ton.
The Arlington House-
Their four children were Daniel Parke, Fanny Parke, John
Parke, and Martha Parke Custis. Upon the death of John Parke
Custis, Gen. Washington adopted his two youngest children, —
Eleanor Parke Custis, and George Washington Parke Custis.
The former married Major Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of Gen,
Washington: this lady died in Clarke County, Va., in 1852, at
the advanced age of seventy-four years. The son, George Wash-
ington Parke Custis, married Mary Lee Fitzhugh, daughter of
William Fitzhugh, of " Chatham," opposite Fredericksburg, and
OF THE LEE FAMILY. lOl
Anne Randolph, These were the parents of Mrs. Robert E.
Lee.
Mr. Custis remained in the family of Gen. Washington until
1799, when he was appointed a cornet of horse, and afterwards
aide-de-camp to Major-Gen. Charles C. Pinckney of South Caro-
lina. The present Arlington mansion was built by Mr, Custis,
and upon the estate left him by his father, which consisted of
eleven hundred acres of land on the Potomac River, opposite
Washington City : a very large tract of land, about four miles
in the rear, was also bequeathed him in the will of Gen. Wash-
ington.
Mr. Custis was a gentleman of refined and cultivated tastes,
and his love of art continued through life. We venture, in illus-
tration, to insert a copy of the following letter to the artist,
Rembrandt Peale: —
Arlington House, Va., August, 1857.
Dear Sir, — Yours of the 6th inst. came duly to hand. It
is a most gratifying event to me to receive a letter from an octo-
genarian. It calls up the recollection of other days, — the fond,
endearing memories of the past : indeed, my dear sir, I am myself
'no chicken,' having entered upon my seventy-seventh year.
Honor to the memory of the soldier-artist, who hung up his
palette, girded on his sword, and fought a campaign in the War
for Independence ; then resumed his palette, and painted the por-
traits of the general officers ; and without whose artistic labors we
should not have the likeness of the illustrious soldier, Greene, who
was second only to him who was first of all. The provincial
colonel of 1772 is in fine preservation, and always admired. I
have the first and last of the distinguished and reliable portraits
of Washington at Arlington House, twenty-four years between
I02 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LEE FAMILY.
them ; Peak's and Sharpless'. Wishing you every success in
your artistic labors, which, it appears, suffer no decline from your
venerable age, I remain, dear sir.
Very truly and faithfully yours,
GEO. \V. p. CUSTIS.
Mr. Custis died at Arlington, on the loth October, a.d. 1857,
leaving his beautiful house to his daughter Mary, now wife of
Gen. Lee.
In the calm dignity and intelligence of this honored lady, we
trace the hereditary expression of many of these ancient family
portraits. Mrs. Lee was mother of seven children, all born pre-
vious to the Mexican war. " One is not," — the second dauijhter,
Anne Carter Lee, died in 1862, in North Carolina. A beautiful
monument has there been erected to her memory by those who
love and honor her father.
The surviving children of Gen. and Mrs. Lee are —
George Washington Custis Lee,
Mary Custis Lee,
William Henry Fitzhugh Lee,
Eleanor Agnes Lee,
Robert Edward Lee,
Mildred Childe Lee.
^U5 tui ^nt^lmL
HOUSE OF DITCHLY.
From various records, we are enabled to trace the
several branches of the English Lees to a later period
than that 2:iven in the old document.
Of the house of Ditchly, already mentioned, we have Sir John
Lee of Wiltshire, who was created a Knight of the Bath at the
marriage of the Prince of Wales, a.d. 1501, Time, Henry VH*
Mary Brown of Arsly, in Bedfordshire, was the second wife of
Sir John, who was brother to Sir Thomas Lee, baronet, to Sir
William, Dean of the Arches, and to Sir George, Lord Chief
Justice of England. She was afterwards married to Col. Schultz.t
The following inscription is said to be upon the door of Sir
John's house at Addington : —
" In fourteen hundred and none,
Here was neither stick nor stone ;
In fourteen hundred and three,
The goodly building which here you see."
« Nicolas's Order of the Bath. t Nichols's Literary Anecdotes.
103
I04 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LEE FAMILY.
Sir Henry Lee was elected and invested a member
A.D. 1597.
of the Order of the Garter 23d April, and installed
24th May, .1597. He died 12th February, 161 1.
Ann Lee, a daughter of Sir Henry, married a Goodwin of
Buckinghamshire.
Archdeacon Lee forms the second member of the
A.D. 1611.
family who joined this order. Their Stall Plates are
yet to be seen in St. George's Chapel.*
Sir Richard Lee, admiral, was invested in the Order of the Bath,
12th April, 1 81 5, and died 6th August, 1837. He was rear-admi-
ral of the white squadron of his Majesty's fleet, and was nomi-
nated a knight commander of the Most Honorable Military Order
of the Bath, 2d January, 181 5.
Capt. Lee received a medal from the king, upon the taking of
the French fleet, on the 4th November, 1805, which had escaped
at Trafalgar.
The medal bears the inscription, —
*' Sir Richard Lee Knt, Captain of H.
M. S. Coiirageux, on the 4th
November M.D.CCCV.
The French Squadron Taken."!
* Nicolas's Order of Garter. t Nicolas's Order of Bath.
HOUSE OF COTTON.
We have already traced the Lees of Virginia from
•' A.D. 1003.
this branch ; but the " Lees of Cotton Hall " were still
known in England later than 1838.
Through Eldred Launcelot Lee, who was twelve years of age
at the close of the old record, and the first son of Thomas Lee,
and grandson of Launcelot Lee of Cotton, we continue to trace
this line.
Launcelot Lee of Cotton, 1750, as mentioned in the ^^ ^ ^
article of Mr. William Lee of London, is doubtless a son
of Eldred Launcelot Lee. This Launcelot Lee had a daughter
Dorothy, who married Edward Bathurst, F. A. S., Esq., of that
year; also another daughter, Mary, who married Dr. William
Carter of Canterbury: she was married a.d. 1786, and ^^ ^^^
died 1815. Dr. Carter was born 1755, and died 1822.*
The sons of Launcelot Lee are not given.
The Rev. Henry Lee of Kingsgate House, Hants, is a repre-
sentative of this branch of the family. He married Phillippa,
daughter of Sir William Blackstone, knight, of the Priory of
* Burke's Landed Gentry of England.
I06 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Willingford. The Rev. Mr. Lee died in 1838, leaving
two sons. First, Rev. Henry Lee of Kingsgate House,
Hants, J. F. B. D. of New College, Oxford, and Vicar of North
Bradly, near Trowbridge, 1832; a prebendary of Hereford, and
fellow of Winchester College. He married Julia, eldest daughter
of George Lowther, Esq., late of Kilven, County Meath.
William, the second son of the Rev. Mr. Lee, was born 1796.
He married, in 1836, EHzabeth Thomson of Aubry, Sussex.*
. _ _ " Thomas Lee, Esq., descended from a very ancient
A.D. 1806. , -^
family, of Lee of Cotton, Shropshire. He married Ann,
sister of the celebrated John Warner, bishop of Rochester; and
was father of the venerable Archdeacon Lee, whose son, Col.
Henry Lee of Donjon, Canterbury, married Dorothy, daughter
of Sir George Grubham Howe, baronet, of Berwick." f
The family of Brydges, or Bridges, succeeded this branch of the
family, and bear their arms.
The ancient family seat, " Cotton Hall," continued in the family
to the nineteenth century, when it was conveyed by an heiress to
the Wingfields of Teckencote, County Rutland.
From further documents, we are able to trace the descendants
of Lancelot Lee to the year 181 3, through his son Thomas Lee,
whose eldest son, Eldred Lancelot Lee, was only twelve years of
age at the close of the old genealogy, in 1663.
Eldred Lancelot Lee, born at Cotton, 1651. •
* Burke's Landed Gentry. f Burke's Commoners of England.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. IO7
Lancelot Lee and Harry Lee, warden of Winchester College.
Harry Lancelot Lee of Cotton, living at Bath, England, with
his wife, and daughter Catherine Ann Harriet Lee, in 1813.
Of the English estates we take the following interesting facts
from the family records : —
" The Villam de Lee, subtus Pebenhull, unknown now.
"The Langlev Estate went off early, by Roger Lee; very
valuable.
" The Roden Estate remains unaccounted for ; also valuable.
" The Coke Estate, supposed to be in Derbyshire ; also unac-
counted for.
" The Astley Estate, the Cotton Estate, and the Nordley Estate,
united, formed three thousand acres, and were handed down till
1786, when fourteen hundred acres were sold of Astley and Nord-
ley. The manorial rights remain, and the seniorage of the village
of Allerbey (or Alverly). Part of the Cotton Estate now in
possession includes a part of the Astley Estate, which came into
and remained with this family since Robert Lee's marriage with
Margaret Astley, in 1385, now four hundred and thirty-four years.
" Allerbey Church is supposed to be built upon land given by
Hugh Hinton to John Lee, in 1295, and to have remained in
this family for more than five hundred and twenty-four years ;
and a part of this land is said to have remained with the family
since the first grant from William of Normandy to his followers,
more than seven hundred years since, by what was termed his
farewell grants." — Cai^ta Valde Antiqua.
Lees of England.
HOUSE OF LANGLEY.
Sir Richard Lee
=
Elizabeth, daughter
of Langley and
of Sir Edward Allen Kt.
Acton-Burael
Shropshire — Bt.
Died 1660.
Rachel Lee = Rich^ Cleaton, Esq'
Eldest daughter.
Sir Edward
2'"> son of Ralph Cleaton Smyth Esq'
of Onely, Shropshire Baronet.
1674.
Mary Lee
'^ daughter.
Alathea
Cleaton
Watkins Williams
Wynn Esq» of
Vodas.
Eldest daughter married
Thomas Ashton Smyth Esq'
of Tedworth Hants.
Second daughter married
Hon. Chas. Finch.
We have already seen, from Article [16], that the male line of Langley expired in 1660. The
family estate and arms were afterwards held by the Smyth, or Smith, Family, which is still largely
represented throughout England.
109
:«Kgl««d[ Bus,
We have already mentioned Philip Lee, second son of Richard
Lee, as the first of the family established in Maryland. He
moved into the State early in 1700, and died, according to his
will, in 1744. He was married twice, and left a large family, —
nine sons, and eight daughters. The sons were Richard of Blen-
heim, Thomas, — the father of Gov. Thomas Sim Lee, and
grandfather of the present Hon. John Lee, ex-congressman of
Maryland, — Philip, Corbin, Hancock, Arthur, John, and George.
Thomas Sim Lee was born in Prince-George County, Md., in
1745, and held many important offices, a list of which we sub-
join : —
In 1777, Thomas Sim Lee was elected by the legislature of
Maryland a member of council to the governor.
1779. Was elected by the legislature the second republican
governor.
1782.' Having served the constitutional term of three years,
the General Assembly vote their thanks.
1787. Was appointed by the General Assembly a deputy to
attend the meeting at Philadelphia, on the second Monday in
May, — convention that formed the Constitution of the United
States. He did not serve.
112 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
1 788. The Maryland Convention assembled at Annapolis, April
21, and ratified the Constitution of the United States, April 28,
by a vote of sixty-three " to eleven. Gov. Lee was a delegate to
this convention, with Gov. Johnson and Richard Potts, from Fred-
erick County. Gov. Johnson and Gov. Lee were the two electors
from Frederick County, to choose the Senate of Maryland for a
term of five years; being the first Senate chosen after the adoption
of the Constitution of the United States.
From 1792 to 1794, Gov. Lee served again as governor of
Maryland.
1794. Unanimously elected a member of the Senate of Mary-
land. He declined the appointment*
1794. Was appointed by President Washington a commis-
sioner of the city of Washington ; declined the appointment.
1 798. Again elected governor, but declined to accept, having
retired from public life. Gov. Lee died at his farm, Needvvood
Forest, in Frederick County, Nov. 9, 1819, forty years from the
day he was first elected governor of Maryland.
We also add a letter from Gen. Knox, Secretary of War, dated
Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 1 794, which will show the high estimation
in which Gov. Lee was held by Gen. Washington : —
" The President of the United States conceives that he cannot,
consistently with his sense of justice, omit the occasion presented
to him by the disbandment of the militia raised for the purpose
of vindicating the laws, without offering to you his cordial thanks
for your zealous and effectual co-operation in calling the militia
of Maryland into the field for suppressing the late insurrection
in the western parts of this State. It is with great pleasure
• See Sparks's Life of Washington, vol. x.
OF THE LEE FAMILY. H3
that I obey the President's directions in making this communi-
cation."
Gov. Thomas Sim Lee married Mary Digges. Their children
were — *
Ignatius,
Thomas,
William,
Mary Christian,
Archibald,
Eliza,
John.
All deceased, except the last. Hon. John Lee, now residing
in Washington, D.C., having represented his native State in
Congress for many years. This branch of the Lee Family have
maintained the faith of their parents, who were faithful Catholics,
— a fact which is recognized in the following notice, introducing
an original letter of Gen. Washington to Gov. Thomas Sim
Lee : —
" We have before us a manuscript letter from Gen. Washington,
which, we believe, has never yet been printed. It is full of inter-
est at this time, because it is addressed to a Catholic, to his Excel-
lency, Thomas Sim Lee, then governor of Maryland. Its purpose
was to announce the surrender of Cornwallis, and to notify Gov.
Lee that a portion of the prisoners would be sent within his
jurisdiction. Gov. Lee, by the by, administered the trust reposed
in him so satisfactorily, that he was re-elected with great una-
nimity. It appears that Washington recognized and appreciated
the fact, that, in " the times that tried men's souls," none were
15
114 GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LEE FAMILY.
more faithful to the American cause, and none more prompt in
making sacrifices for it, than the people of Catholic Maryland : —
" Camp near York, October, 1781.
"Dear Sir, — Enclosed I have the honor of transmitting to
your Excellency the terms upon which Lord Cornwallis has sur-
rendered the garrisons of York and Gloucester.
" We have not been able yet to get an account of prisoners,
ordnance, or stores in the departments ; but, from the best general
report, there will be (officers included) upwards of seven thousand
men, besides seamen ; more than seven pieces of brass ordnance,
and one hundred of iron, with their stores, as also other movable
articles. My present engagements will not allow me to add more
than my congratulation on this happy event, and to express the
high sense I have of the powerful aid which I have derived from
the State of Maryland in complying with every request to the
Executive of it. The prisoners will be divided between Winches-
ter, in Virginia, and Frederick, in Maryland.
With every sentiment of the most perfect esteem and regard, I
have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
2375